About Bulkargo
Who we are
Bulkargo is an independent ship brokerage. We sit between cargo owners and vessel owners, negotiate the charter that moves the cargo, and stay with the fixture from inquiry through post-fixture demurrage settlement. We do not own vessels. Our commercial interests sit on the same side of the table as the cargo owner.
The firm was founded in 2023 by Carlos Alvarez, Felipe Alvarez, and Manuel Alvarez. The three partners bring 60+ years of combined experience across bulk chartering, vessel operation, and commodity trading. Every fixture handled by Bulkargo runs under partner-level supervision.
What we do
We charter across the four major cargo categories of the bulk and tanker markets:
- Dry cargo: coal, iron ore, grain, cement, fertilizer, bauxite, steel, scrap, and the rest of the dry bulk basket. Capesize down to mini-bulker.
- Tankers: crude, clean and dirty petroleum products, vegetable oils. VLCC, Suezmax, Aframax, LR1/LR2, MR, and coated Handysize tonnage.
- Project cargo and break bulk: heavy-lift, oversized, and general cargo on multi-purpose, heavy-lift, and tweendecker vessels. Routine capability, not a sideline.
- Specialised products: chemicals, parcel cargoes, base oils, biofuels, and coated/stainless steel tank cargoes.
We negotiate across all standard charter modalities: voyage charter, time charter, contract of affreightment (COA), spot, consecutive voyages, and bareboat. Modality choice is part of the work we do at the inquiry stage.
We also accept formal retainer and project-based advisory engagements: market analysis and rate forecasting, charter strategy work, fleet and route optimisation, market-entry guidance, and charter party or demurrage reviews. These run on scoped retainer terms separate from execution work.
Our partners
Carlos Alvarez: partner. Bulk chartering and trading background.
Felipe Alvarez: partner. Vessel operation and chartering background.
Manuel Alvarez: partner. Commodity trading and chartering background.
Together the three partners bring 60+ years of combined experience in shipping markets. Detailed bios available on request.
How we work
Bulkargo is a current-generation brokerage. We use the standard industry tools (sale-and-purchase platforms, fixture databases, AIS tracking) and we expect our clients to want digital communication, fast turnaround, and clear reporting. Inquiries get a same-business-day response.
Our standard process runs from initial inquiry through six steps to fixture and post-fixture support. For the detailed walkthrough see How It Works.
For representative examples of the kind of fixtures we handle across each desk, see our case studies.
What we are not
We do not own vessels. We are not the in-house brokerage of a fleet. We do not broker container freight or scheduled RoRo. We do not handle sale-and-purchase brokerage as a primary service.
Our service is ship chartering, voyage by voyage or under programme contracts, for cargo owners. That is the focus, and that is what the firm is built around.
Values
Client alignment. We are an independent broker. The vessel we recommend is the one that fits your cargo, not the one we need to keep employed.
Technical work upfront. Cargo assessment, vessel matching, and contract review are done properly on every fixture. Headline rate is one input, not the only one.
Stay with the fixture. Post-fixture demurrage settlement, owner correspondence, and dispute support are part of the standard service, not extras.
Plain communication. We tell you what we see in the market: including when the answer is “wait” or “this is a poor structure for your cargo.” We do not push fixtures.
Get in touch
For a charter inquiry or quote, use the quote form: tell us cargo, volume, ports, and timeline. A broker will respond the same business day.
For a retainer advisory engagement or a general inquiry, the same form works; flag the inquiry type in the message field.