The "Details" Tab – Your Ship's Identity

From the Shipfinex Team

In the world of maritime finance, the reality of the asset lives in "Ship’s Particulars."

When professional shipbrokers transact a ship worth millions, they immediately look at the technical specifications: the displacement, the main engine, the classification society, and the special survey dates. These data points define exactly what the asset can do, where it can trade, and how much it can earn.

At Shipfinex, we believe you deserve that same level of institutional access.

Shipfinex has digitized the "Ship’s Particulars" into the Details Tab on every listing on the Shipfinex Platform. This is your digital data room, a comprehensive technical data that presents the commercial reality of the ship.

The "Details" Tab: Your Technical Due Diligence

Why do we expose this much data? Because in shipping, Technical Specs help understand the commercial reality. Ship's value is derived entirely from its operational capabilities. Here is how a professional owner reads the "Details" tab:

The Details tab is organized into clear sections, each revealing a different aspect of the ship's identity and capability. Let's walk through what each section tells you and why it matters.

General Information: The Foundation

At the top, you'll see the fundamental identifiers. The ship's official name, its International Maritime Organization (IMO) number (which is like a permanent serial number that follows the ship even if it's renamed), and its current flag state. The flag state isn't just a formality, it indicates which country's maritime laws govern the ship and where it's registered (3).

You'll also see the ship type. This matters enormously. A bulk carrier operates differently than a container ship or tanker. Each type has different cargo-handling systems, different operational costs, and different market dynamics. The Details tab specifies exactly what type of ship you're considering.

The build year tells you when the ship entered service. Newer ships often have better fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs. Older ships might offer lower acquisition prices but require more careful maintenance planning. Both can be viable ownership opportunities, you just need to know which you're evaluating (4).

Dimensions and Tonnages: Understanding Scale and Capacity

This section reveals the ship's physical size and cargo capacity through several key measurements. Length Overall (LOA) and Beam (width) tell you the ship's physical dimensions. These dimensions determine which ports and canals the ship can access. A ship too large for certain key waterways faces operational restrictions that could affect its earnings (5).

Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) is perhaps the most critical number for understanding a ship's commercial capacity. DWT represents the total weight of cargo, fuel, water, provisions, and crew that the ship can safely carry. This directly determines how much revenue the ship can generate per voyage. When you see a ship described as a "75,000 DWT bulk carrier," that DWT figure is telling you its core commercial capability (6).

Gross Tonnage (GT) is a volumetric measurement used for regulatory purposes, port fees, and manning requirements. While less intuitive than DWT, it's an important regulatory parameter that affects operating costs.

For aspiring ship owners comparing different opportunities, these numbers provide concrete, comparable data. You're not just choosing between "Ship A" and "Ship B," you're comparing specific capacities, dimensions, and capabilities that determine earning potential.

Operational Parameters: How the Ship Actually Works

The Details tab includes critical operational specifications. Engine power, measured in kilowatts or brake horsepower, determines the ship's speed and fuel consumption profile. More powerful engines can maintain faster speeds but consume more fuel. The optimal balance depends on the ship's intended trade routes and cargo contracts (7).

You'll see the ship's service speed, typically measured in knots. This speed, combined with the ship's fuel consumption rate, determines the economics of each voyage. Faster ships can complete more voyages per year but have higher fuel costs. Slower speeds save fuel but reduce annual voyage capacity. Ship operators constantly optimize this balance based on current fuel prices and cargo rates.

Draft measurements (how deep the ship sits in the water when loaded) determine which ports the ship can access. A ship with a deep draft might be restricted from certain shallow ports, affecting its operational flexibility and market opportunities (8).

Classification and Compliance: The Quality Certification

Every commercial ship must be certified by a classification society, an independent organization that sets construction and maintenance standards. You'll see which classification society certifies this ship. Organizations such as Lloyd's Register, DNV, and the American Bureau of Shipping are globally recognized authorities. Their certification means the ship meets rigorous international standards for safety and seaworthiness (9).

This certification isn't a one-time event. Ships undergo regular surveys and inspections to maintain their classification. A ship that maintains its classification is a ship that's being properly maintained. This directly protects your ownership interest by ensuring the asset maintains its operational capability and market value.

Ownership Structure and Insurance: Who Manages and Protects the Asset

The Details tab provides transparency on the ship's management structure. You'll see who the technical manager is, the company responsible for day-to-day operations, maintenance, and crew management. Technical managers are specialized maritime companies with professional crews and established operational procedures.

You'll also see insurance details. Commercial ships carry substantial insurance coverage, typically including hull and machinery insurance (covering physical damage to the ship) and protection and indemnity insurance (covering third-party liabilities). The insurance provider and coverage amounts are disclosed, giving you visibility into how the asset is protected (10).

For aspiring ship owners, this transparency is critical. You're not just buying tokens and hoping someone competent manages the ship. You're seeing exactly who manages it, who insures it, and what protections are in place.

Why Total Transparency Changes the Ownership Experience

The Details tab eliminates information asymmetry that existed in ship ownership until now. Every aspiring ship owner sees the same complete technical profile as a professional ship broker. The information isn't hidden behind customer service requests or reserved for larger participants. It's publicly available on every listing, for every prospective owner to review.

This transparency serves multiple purposes.

First, it enables informed decision-making. You have the actual technical specifications to evaluate. Second, it builds confidence. When a platform voluntarily provides complete technical details, it signals confidence in the asset quality. Third, it equalizes access. Individual aspiring owners get the same information that maritime industry professionals would examine.

Your Next Step: Explore the Details

The next time you review a ship listing on the Shipfinex platform, take a few minutes with the Details tab. Look at the tonnages and dimensions. Check the classification society and flag state. Review the management and insurance information. These aren't just numbers on a screen, they're the technical parameters that define the ship's identity and earning capability.

Understand the complete technical profile. Make decisions based on full information rather than partial summaries. That's what the Details tab provides, and it's what total asset transparency means in practice.

Until Next Time,Team Shipfinex

Disclaimer

This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. All ownership of maritime assets carries inherent risks, including potential loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Please review the relevant offer and risk disclosures carefully before making any financial decision.

References

1. International Maritime Organization. (2024). Ship design and construction standards. Retrieved from https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/Safety/Pages/ShipDesign.aspx

2. Marine Insight. (2024). Understanding ship specifications and their importance. Retrieved from https://www.marineinsight.com/guidelines/understanding-ship-specifications/

3. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. (2024). Review of maritime transport 2024. Retrieved from https://unctad.org/publication/review-maritime-transport-2024

4. Clarksons Research. (2024). The shipping intelligence network: Vessel age and operational efficiency. Retrieved from https://www.clarksons.com/

5. World Shipping Council. (2024). Vessel specifications and port access requirements. Retrieved from https://www.worldshipping.org/about-the-industry/how-liner-shipping-works

6. Baltic Exchange. (2024). Understanding deadweight tonnage in commercial shipping. Retrieved from https://www.balticexchange.com/en/data-services/market-information0/deadweight-tonnage.html

7. DNV. (2024). Maritime forecast to 2050: Energy transition outlook. Retrieved from https://www.dnv.com/maritime/publications/maritime-forecast-2024/

8. U.S. Maritime Administration. (2024). Port infrastructure and vessel draft requirements. Retrieved from https://www.maritime.dot.gov/ports/infrastructure

9. International Association of Classification Societies. (2024). IACS requirements and unified requirements. Retrieved from https://www.iacs.org.uk/

10. International Union of Marine Insurance. (2024). Marine insurance: Hull and machinery and P&I coverage. Retrieved from https://iumi.com/about-marine-insurance