THE 10 MINUTE CREDIT CHECK

You've just received an enquiry or order from an unknown ship owner, operator or manager.
Do you give them credit? If you do, will you get paid? Of course there can be no guarantees but completing the check list below should give you a good idea and take no more than 10 minutes to complete.

Although not essential, using one of the following two directories will make the task even easier:-

1. "Lloyd's Maritime Directory", published by Lloyd's MIU, or
    
   

2. "World Shipping Directory", published by Lloyd's Register Fairplay

Answer YES or NO to the following questions:-

1. Does the fleet consists mainly of dry cargo vessels and/or bulk carriers?
   

2. Does the fleet consists mainly of older vessels, particularly over 20 years old?
   
3. Does the operator have only 1,2 or 3 vessels?
   
4. Are vessels flagged in countries which do not have a strong maritime administration?
   
5. Have vessels had more than one recent change of name, flag or class
   
6. Is the operator located in a country which has economic problems
   
7. Is the operator located in a country which has an autocratic government
   
8. Is the operator located in country which has commercially naive legal system
   
9. Has the operator been in business for less than two years
   
10. Do the operator's communications indicate a poorly organised company?