Tramp trade

A tramp freighter in 1950

A boat or ship engaged in the tramp trade is one which does not have a fixed schedule, itinerary nor published ports of call, and trades on the spot market as opposed to freight liners. A steamship engaged in the tramp trade is sometimes called a tramp steamer; similar terms, such as tramp freighter and tramper, are also used. Chartering is done chiefly on London, New York, and Singapore shipbroking exchanges. The Baltic Exchange serves as a type of stock market index for the trade.

The term tramper is derived from the British meaning of "tramp", as being an itinerant beggar or vagrant. In this context, it was first documented in the 1880s, along with "ocean tramp" (at the time many sailing vessels engaged in irregular trade as well).