Dry-bulk chartering, freight & operations — explained.
Plain answers on how handysize chartering, pools, freight and vessel operations work — and how the Handysize group fits together.
What is Handysize Chartering Pool?
Handysize Chartering Pool is an independent shipbroking firm specializing in chartering pool operations in the dry bulk market. Based in New York with offices in Izmir and Istanbul, it acts as the Chartering Executive for its pool companies — covering ship chartering, dry-bulk cargo freight and trading & hedging, powered by The Freight Platform.
What is a chartering pool in dry bulk shipping?
A chartering pool brings several shipowners' vessels under one commercial manager who markets them together, shares revenue transparently and improves utilisation. The Handysize pool is designed for fair trade and transparency, letting owners calculate break-even freight and execute fixtures with confidence.
What is a handysize vessel?
A handysize is a dry-bulk carrier of roughly 15,000–40,000 deadweight tonnes (DWT). Its onboard cranes (gear) and modest size let it serve smaller ports worldwide, making it one of the most flexible segments in dry-bulk shipping.
What does a ship chartering broker do?
A ship chartering broker matches cargoes with suitable open vessels, negotiates freight and terms, and manages the fixture through to the charter party. Handysize uses The Freight Platform to find the best open vessel in position and estimate freight in seconds.
What is the difference between a ship manager and a vessel operator?
A ship manager handles a vessel's technical management, crewing, maintenance and safety/compliance. A vessel (commercial) operator runs the commercial side of the voyage — chartering, bunkers, agency, laytime and voyage economics. In the Handysize group, Kentbulk Inc. is the vessel operator, running commercial management and operations for TCT and period vessels.
Who operates your time-chartered (TCT) and period vessels?
Kentbulk Inc., the group's commercial and operating arm, operates our TCT and period (chartered-in) vessels end to end — bunker procurement, agency appointment and every commercial activity — alongside investor relations and trading & hedging.
How does dry-bulk freight hedging work?
Freight hedging locks in a rate for a future shipment using derivatives such as FFAs, options and bunker swaps, protecting a voyage against market swings. Handysize can quote guaranteed freight for future dates up to 12 months and negotiates fair, transparent rates on your behalf.
Which markets and cargoes do you cover?
We cover the dry-bulk market worldwide, for any cargo type between global ports, calculating tailor-made freight rates for each suitable tonnage candidate.
How do I join the pool or get a freight quote?
Contact the chartering desk at chartering@handysize.net or +1 212 66 00 666, or explore The Freight Platform at thefreight.net.