What is a voyage charter?

A voyage charter is a contract wherein the ship was leased for a single voyage for the conveyance of goods, in consideration of the payment of freight. The shipowner retains the possession, command and navigation of the ship, the charterer merely having use of the space in the vessel in return for his payment of freight. An owner who retains possession of the ship remains liable as carrier and must answer for loss or non-delivery of the goods received for transportation. (Cebu Salvage Corp. vs. Philippine Home Assurance Corp., G.R. No. 150403, Jan. 25, 2007)