I understand that many, if not all of the shipping fleets, have cargo carriage contracts with certain customers. However, how are loads allocated in situations in which the cargo is not part of a previously signed contract? Does the seller arrange shipping quotes for the customer or does the customer have to arrange for delivery?
How did this work when fleets like Oglebay Norton, Cleveland Cliffs, Hanna Mining operated lake vessel fleets? Was delivery calculated in with the sale of the raw materials (taconite, aggregates, etc.?)?