What happens if the vessel goes to an alternative port specified in the charterer's instructions?

When a vessel goes to an alternative port as per the charterer's instructions, the captain is entitled to freight for the voyage out only. This situation typically arises in the context of the terms established in the charter party, which governs the contract between the owner of the vessel and the charterer.

Under maritime law, if the charterer legitimately instructs the captain to sail to a different port, and this deviation is within the agreed contractual terms, the captain is usually compensated for the work done up to that point but may not be entitled to the full freight for the entire trip. This is because the freight is generally understood to encompass payment for the completion of the full voyage as originally planned. In this case, the vessel, by deviating to an alternative port, does not fulfill the original contract terms regarding the destination, restricting the captain’s right to full freight.

Additionally, the other options presented do not align with the principles governing maritime contracts. If the captain lost all rights to freight or must consider the voyage null and void, there would be significant consequences that are generally not consistent with standard practices unless there were extreme delinquencies or breaches. Similarly, additional fees for deviation would typically fall under specific clauses that would need to be outlined in the charter party