First Class Charterer. When the charterer does not want his identity known too early, he may instruct his shipbroker (“Charterer’s agent”) to keep his identity hidden, perhaps until serious shipowners have come up with FIRM OFFERS. The shipbroker will indicate that the charterer is directly known to him and he vouches for the charterer. The shipowner should, however, press for some information as to the identity of the charterer so that he can, perhaps, request BIMCO to check in its “Reference Register” if the nominated “Charterer” is recorded as generally being in default of payments.
