If you only ask one great question before you charter a tanker, make it about proof. Safety records, vetting status, last cargos, crew experience, and maintenance history should be more than promises. This playbook gives you 12 precise questions, a simple scoring checklist, and a one-click email draft you can send to the owner to confirm the facts.
Keep requests short and document based. Strong proofs reduce delays, claims, and surprises.
1) Safety record and PSC history
Request
Last 24 months of Port State Control inspections with findings and close-outs. Any detentions with proof of rectification.
Signals of strength
No detentionsOnly minor deficienciesTimely close-outs
Watch-outs
Repeat deficienciesNavigation or fire items
Verification
PSC reports, corrective-action letters, internal audit extracts.
2) Vetting and oil major approvals
Request
Latest SIRE or CDI report, list of current approvals with dates and expiry.
Signals of strength
Recent SIRELow-severity observationsActive approvals
Watch-outs
Expired approvalsHigh-severity items
Verification
SIRE/CDI PDFs, approval letters, corrective-action summary.
3) Last five cargos and tank condition
Request
Last five cargos with dates and ports, coating type, cleanliness status, restrictions if any.
Signals of strength
Compatible historyClear cleaning plan
Watch-outs
Incompatible residuesUnclear tank readiness
Verification
Cargo list, coating certificates, tank inspection photos or reports.
4) Crew experience and certifications
Request
Senior officer matrix, average time on board, certification status, training and drills conducted.
Signals of strength
Stable senior teamValid STCW and flag docs
Watch-outs
High turnoverPending or expired certs
Verification
Crew matrix, copies of certificates, drill logs.
5) Maintenance, class status, and survey schedule
Request
Class status report, last dry dock date and work list, next survey windows and yard plans.
Signals of strength
No overdue itemsClear yard plan
Watch-outs
Overdue class recsUnplanned yard needs
Verification
Class PDF, yard invoices, survey calendar extract.
6) Speed, consumption, and performance evidence
Request
Guaranteed speed and consumption at stated drafts, recent noon reports, weather-routing summaries.
Signals of strength
Consistent noon dataWithin stated tolerances
Watch-outs
Frequent underperformanceMissing reports
Verification
Noon reports, weather summaries, relevant charter clause excerpt.
7) Insurance and war-risk terms
Request
P&I and H&M certificates, war-risk terms for planned legs, deductibles, exclusions, and endorsements.
Signals of strength
Current coverClear endorsements
Watch-outs
Ambiguous exclusionsPending premium disputes
Verification
Certificates of entry, policy pages, war-risk confirmation emails.
8) Compliance, sanctions, and AIS history
Request
Ownership structure, sanctions compliance statement, AIS track summary for the last six months.
Signals of strength
Transparent ownershipContinuous AIS
Watch-outs
AIS gapsOpaque control
Verification
Corporate chart, compliance letter, AIS snapshots.
9) Port and terminal fit
Request
LOA, beam, draft, manifold layout, last three calls to similar terminals, known restrictions.
Signals of strength
Recent similar callsTerminal confirmations
Watch-outs
Marginal draftUnverified manifold compatibility
Verification
Terminal letters, port clearance notes, GA drawings.
10) Emissions and regulatory exposure
Request
CII rating and trajectory, EU ETS exposure if applicable, planned retrofits that change fuel or emissions.
Signals of strength
C or better trajectoryClear cost sharing language
Watch-outs
D or E trajectoryNo plan for compliance costs
Verification
CII calc, ETS notes, draft clauses.
11) Commercial references and claims handling
Request
Two recent charterer references with contacts, on-time statistics, examples of claims resolved and timelines.
Signals of strength
On-time recordResponsive claims process
Watch-outs
Unreachable referencesSlow claim close-outs
Verification
Reference emails, KPI snapshots, claim close-out letters.
12) Operational readiness and laycan confidence
Request
Ability to meet laycan, back-up plan, sample voyage plan and bunkering scheme, critical spares readiness.
Signals of strength
Clear sailing planSpares and lead times listed
Watch-outs
No back-up planUncertain yard or survey dates
Verification
Voyage plan extract, bunkering schedule, spares inventory, laycan confirmation.
Before committing to a charter, it is not enough to rely on reassurances or general reputation. The operator who asks for proof instead of promises is the one who avoids claims, delays, and margin erosion. These twelve questions are not about creating friction, they are about removing uncertainty early, while there is still time to adjust terms or walk away from risk. The owners who are truly ready will respect the structure. The ones who hesitate usually reveal why. Make every fixture deliberate, defensible, and backed by documentation, that is how you stay fast, competitive, and in control.
