How much is a ship?

Question

in the future i hope to start my own shipping service. just wanted to know how much would it cost to by a ship to start off?

How do the greeks do it?

Answer 1

Historically, the Greeks have bought ships that are at the end of their service life, paying just above scrap prices for them, and stretching out their useful life, hoping that they don't fall apart and founder, but buying large insurance policies on them just in case.

You may be able to pick up something for $250,000 or so, but you will need at least another $250,000 for expenses-fuel, crew, etc.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 2

One improvement here would be to know the age of the person asking the question... and thus, answer accordingly.  Assuming you are serious... My guess is, you are an elementary school student... To which I would encourage your interest and ambition... but answer your question by saying that a ship cost you all the money you don't yet have. These days... no one buys a ship... They lease one, then two, and then maybe buy a fledging Company that can no longer afford its fleet. The aforementioned $250,000 might buy you a Bubby Gump Shrimp boat...  Today, life or death is in the fuel economy... Thats why "mega-tankers, and mega-freighters with all new technology and power are taking over.  

Suggestion: buy a used military out of service submarine... have about 100 submarine shaped "cargo tubes" (with ballast) built... and hook them to your sub... (kinda like an underwater train)... This will give you tremendous economy of scale, unbeatable fuel economy, make you totally impervious to weather, and invisable to pirates... As with a train, you will soon be able to leave your empty cargo "tubes" at the dock to be filled, while you hook up to your loaded ones, and move on to your next delivery... Since fuel and fuel oil are salt water neutral bouyant your fully loaded cargo tubes will trail behind your sub at the same depth.  Being under water, your vessel (train) is unaffected by wind and waves and once moving, you will be able to cruise along at much greater speed and much more fuel economy than your "on the water - ship" competition.  In fact, I am amazed someone hasn't figured this out already and done it... (Its kinda like "black bandaides" - I can't figure out why you can't buy any of them in the drugstore either... Oh well... anyway, should you decide to patent or produce either of these ideas, and move on to implementing it... when you start making money...  just send me 10% of your profits along with a note that says: Thank you Capt. John! Have a great day!

Answer 3

My uncle was offered the California Bear freighter (many years ago) for $1, provided he return it to service. The liner United States was purchased for $1,000,000 complete with all interior (plates, silverware, beds, linnens, pots, pans, fixtures, and full fuel tanks). The fuel in the tanks was later valued at nearly 4 million, and that was 20 plus years ago. If you have to pinch pennys on the purchase price, how are you going to afford the fuel?