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Offshore Vessel Charter RFQ Checklist for Nigeria

Prepare a clearer Nigeria vessel charter enquiry. Covers scope, technical requirements, documentation, mobilisation and commercial exclusions.

Start with the job the vessel must perform

Define the work before naming a vessel type. Separate mandatory requirements from preferences, and mark unknowns as "to be confirmed". This checklist is a commercial enquiry tool, not a statutory application or a confirmation of fitness for an operation.

1. Project and enquiry details

  • Company name, business contact, enquiry reference and quotation deadline.
  • Project stage: budget study, tender, conditional award or confirmed requirement.
  • Scope of work and vessel type, if already chosen (for example PSV, AHTS, tug, barge or crew boat).
  • Operating location, ports or bases, route and offshore worksite, including any domestic transport legs.
  • Proposed start window, firm duration, extension options and date flexibility.
  • Who approves vessel suitability, charter terms and mobilisation.

2. Minimum technical requirements

  • Dimensions and limits: length, breadth, loaded draft, air draft, and berth, channel or worksite restrictions.
  • Deck area, deck loading, usable cargo capacity, and cargo size, weight and handling arrangements.
  • Tank capacities and cargo compatibility for liquid or bulk transport.
  • Bollard pull, towing equipment and tow particulars, plus the basis for any tow assessment.
  • Dynamic positioning class or station-keeping need, with the evidence the client expects.
  • Crane capacity at the required working radius, lifting certification and project-specific handling gear.
  • Accommodation, passenger capacity and personnel arrangements.
  • Speed and fuel consumption assumptions for transit, working and standby.
  • Weather, sea-state, operating depth and other environmental limits.

3. Evidence needed before acceptance

  • Vessel particulars, flag, IMO number where applicable, ownership or authorised representation, and current location.
  • Applicable class and statutory certificates, with expiry dates and disclosed restrictions.
  • Insurance cover relevant to the operation, checked against the contract rather than assumed from a policy name.
  • Crew numbers, competence requirements, project training and client acceptance criteria.
  • Inspection, audit or assurance requirements, who conducts them, and when findings must be closed.
  • Outstanding conditions, maintenance, survey dates or other matters affecting availability.

4. Mobilisation and Nigeria operating interfaces

  • Delivery and redelivery locations, and who pays mobilisation, demobilisation and positioning costs.
  • Port, terminal or site access requirements and the shipping agent, if known.
  • Whether the work is domestic coastal or inland trade, offshore service work, or an international port call needing separate review.
  • Vessel registration, cabotage documents or other permissions required for the actual operation.
  • Responsibility for crew changes, transport, accommodation, stores, spares, bunkers and waste.
  • Security arrangements and operating restrictions, reviewed with the responsible parties.

5. Ask for a comparable commercial offer

  • Currency, hire basis, quote validity and conditions on availability.
  • Firm period, options, notice periods, and when hire starts and ends.
  • Separately identified exclusions: bunkers, lubricants, port costs, agency fees, taxes, levies and others.
  • Treatment of working, standby and off-hire time, plus weather downtime and equipment failure.
  • Mobilisation and demobilisation amounts, minimum commitment, cancellation and payment terms.
  • Proposed charter form, insurance obligations, liability allocation and clauses needing specialist review.
  • Procedure for varying scope, dates, location or equipment.

Compare total expected cost for the same job and duration, not just the headline daily rate.

Quick enquiry brief

  • Company and contact
  • Project reference and stage
  • Scope of work
  • Vessel type or operational requirement
  • Location and route
  • Start window and duration
  • Mandatory specifications
  • Client assurance requirements
  • Delivery and redelivery points
  • Known documentation gaps
  • Quote deadline and currency
  • Attachments available

For an initial enquiry, a business contact and project brief are enough. Do not send passports, crew identity documents, banking credentials or other sensitive records through a public form.

How Apex can help

Apex can turn your brief into a defined charter enquiry, coordinate vessel options, and identify the technical, documentation and commercial questions to resolve before commitment. Scope, availability, third-party costs and responsibilities are agreed per assignment. A quote or introduction does not reserve a vessel or confirm regulatory approval.

Related official guidance

Confirm regulatory requirements for the specific vessel and operation. Sources reviewed on 23 October 2026:

Start with the operation

Turn the guidance into an operating response.

Send the work scope and what you know so far, including any open details.

What do you need?

Please leave out passports, banking details and other sensitive records. They can follow through an agreed channel.