Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Vessel4you — how listing works, how we verify owners, what it costs, and how each type of user gets started. Can't find your answer? Get in touch.
About Vessel4you
What is Vessel4you?
Vessel4you is a global maritime marketplace that connects vessel owners, captains, charterers and brokers directly. Owners list their fleet, charterers search the live map or post wanted adverts, and both sides deal directly — without intermediaries taking a cut of every charter.
Is it free to list a vessel or get started?
Yes. Vessel4you is free during early access, and the charterer free tier lets you search the entire map and contact the first five vessels at no cost. Owners and brokers move onto simple monthly plans once early access ends.
How are vessel owners verified?
Every owner and broker account is reviewed before listings go live, and vessels can be cross-checked against live AIS position data. This keeps the marketplace credible so charterers know they're dealing with real operators and real vessels.
How does contacting an owner work?
When you find a vessel or receive a bid, you message the owner or broker directly through the secure in-platform inbox. There's no public exchange of phone numbers or emails until both sides choose to share them.
Is my identity kept private?
Yes. Your contact details stay private — early conversations happen through the platform messenger, and you decide when to share direct contact details with the other party.
What vessel and cargo types are supported?
Vessel4you covers the full spectrum of commercial vessels — tugs, multicats, barges, offshore construction, dredging, survey, specialised and cargo ships — plus cargo, charter and project loads of every kind. Browse the vessel types page for the full taxonomy.
For vessel owners
Do I pay commission on charters?
No. Vessel4you is a flat-fee subscription. You keep 100% of the charter revenue you negotiate with the hirer or broker.
Can my captains update the listing themselves?
Yes — give your captain a Captain Bridge sign-in and they can update position, availability, and post backloads directly from the wheelhouse.
What if I only have one vessel?
No problem — pricing is per vessel. A single vessel is €14.99 base + €15, i.e. €29.99/mo, with exactly the same features as larger fleets.
For captains
Do I need to pay anything to use the bridge?
No. The Captain Bridge is free for the master — your owner or broker pays for the vessel listing and you sign in to operate it.
Can I take a vessel off the market temporarily?
Yes — toggle availability to 'standby' or 'on charter' from the bridge. The vessel disappears from search filters until you switch it back.
For charterers
Is it really free to get started?
Yes. The free tier lets you search the global map and contact the first five available vessels at no cost. Upgrade only when you need more.
Do owners actually reply to wanted adverts?
Owners and brokers see new wanted adverts in their dashboard the moment they're posted. The median reply time across the platform is well under 24 hours.
For brokers
Can I post both vessel listings and wanted adverts on the same account?
Yes — both broker plans (Solo and Firm) include both sides out of the box. Owners and charterers get one direction each.
How does the shared team account work?
Solo covers 3 colleagues and Firm covers 5 colleagues on one shared firm account. Vessels, jobs and inbox conversations are visible to everyone in your firm, and you assign each colleague Admin, Member or Viewer permissions from the Team tab in your dashboard.