Terms of use

1. What Maritime Broker is

Maritime Broker operates a website and matching service (the "Platform") that lets buyers publish requests for goods or services, lets suppliers and freight providers publish competing rates, and lets buyers award a requirement to a provider.

Maritime Broker is a matching venue. It is not a party to, and does not guarantee, any contract between users.

2. Accounts and company profiles

You must create an account linked to a company. You confirm that you are authorised to act for that company.

You are responsible for the accuracy of your profile, including certifications, licences and contact details.

Profiles in the public directory are published only once the company has claimed them. By claiming a profile you consent to its publication.

3. Your content and conduct

You confirm that anything you publish — requests, rates, specifications, documents — is accurate, lawful, and yours to publish.

Contact details typed into any public field are removed automatically before publication. Attempting to divert transactions off-platform may result in suspension.

You must not publish prohibited goods. See the prohibited goods policy.

You must not post sham rates, bid on your own request, or coordinate with other users to manipulate an auction.

4. The auction

Requirements are run as reverse auctions: competing rates are ranked lowest first, and a new rate must undercut the standing best rate.

A buyer may set a target price, a floor price and a minimum decrement. These are enforced automatically.

The buyer decides when to award, and may award to any bidder or to nobody.

Bidding histories are recorded for audit purposes. Identities are revealed only to a buyer and to the awarded provider.

5. Fees

Posting a requirement and bidding are free at launch.

If fees are introduced they will be disclosed before you incur them, and will apply only to transactions where Maritime Broker actively intermediated.

6. Verification is not a guarantee

"Document verified" means we reviewed documents at a point in time. It is not a credit rating, a solvency check or a warranty.

Always verify your counterparty independently. For cross-border trade, use documented payment terms such as an irrevocable letter of credit, independent inspection and cargo insurance.

7. Liability

The Platform is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Maritime Broker is not liable for the quality, legality, safety, delivery or payment of any goods or services traded between users.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, our aggregate liability arising from use of the Platform is limited to any fees you paid to us in the preceding twelve months, or USD 100, whichever is greater.

Nothing in these terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded.

8. Suspension and termination

We may suspend or terminate accounts that breach these terms, engage in fraud, or put other users at risk.

You may close your account at any time by contacting support.

9. Law and disputes

These terms are governed by the laws applicable at the registered office of Maritime Broker.

Please read this section in the final version issued by your solicitor — the complete governing-law, jurisdiction and arbitration clauses are deliberately left for legal review before launch.