Buying a ship, whether it be used or new, isn’t like buying practically anything else. After all, buying a ship, whatever type it might be, isn’t a cheap proposition, and unlike buying other things, ship buyers have something very specific in mind for their needs.
Making matters even more complicated, ships aren’t exactly something you can take out on a test drive or kick the tires to see how good a shape they are in. In fact, much of buying a ship involves the trust a buyer has in the agent they are working with.
Where in the World
Another problem that potential ship owners have when they are shopping for general cargo ships or other 2nd hand vessels is where to find what they need. Ships aren’t exactly for sale everywhere, and just because a ship is for sale doesn’t mean it is usable to the buyer.
Anyone who is in the market to buy a second-hand vessel needs to know that a prospective property is in usable condition as well as that the price is right. This is considering also that in many cases, extensive rebuilding will be needed in order to make the vessel serviceable to the new owner.
All the Ship That Fits
Probably everybody has heard the expression, When you buy a used car, you are buying somebody else’s problems. The truth is that the same thing can be said about used ships. Fortunately, the right broker can increase the comfort level of both buyers and sellers when they attest to the condition of the vessel.
Ships for sale are not something to be taken lightly. Even in the case of Used ships for sale, there is usually a considerable amount of money at stake, not to mention legal issues involved in transferring the title in one country to an owner in another. Further, unlike other things that are bought and sold, much can change between the time negotiations are held for a used ship sale and its final delivery. All of this and more are the duties of a good agent, who is bound to represent the best interests of their client in a sale. A good agent lives and dies by their reputation, and that reputation is built by the way they handle each and every sale.
Taylor Made
Any prospective used ship buyer should have the confidence of knowing that what they buy is as close to being exactly what they need as possible. In this regard, a good agent not only knows what ships are available, but they also know what if any vessel most closely fits the requirements of a buyer. This not only makes the buyers happy, but it also makes representing the buyer in the sale easier.
Agency relationships exist for the mutual benefit of everyone involved in a sales situation. When these relationships are established and work well, they work to the betterment of everyone’s business.
General Cargo Ships 