Zero off-hire clause

A zero off-hire clause narrows the events that put a time-chartered vessel off hire, so the charterer keeps paying hire through interruptions a standard off-hire clause would suspend. Where the ordinary off-hire clause lists deficiency of crew, breakdown, drydocking, and detention as off-hire events, a zero or limited off-hire clause cuts that list or raises the threshold, for example requiring a minimum number of hours lost before any deduction. It is an owner-friendly term that keeps the vessel on hire and pairs with a full-pay clause that bars hire deductions. The commercial effect is to move time-loss risk back onto the charterer.