This is the Advance Provisioning Allowance. The APA essentially creates a bank account for the Captain to purchase provisions, fuel, dockage, and other consumables on the charterer’s behalf. It is generally estimated as a percentage of the base charter fee, usually between 25% to 35% depending on your itinerary. The Captain will keep all receipts and a running balance of your account, so you can check expenditures at any time. Any amount not used will be refunded to you at the end of the charter. All purchases are transparent and nothing is marked up. The APA is used purely for your provisions and charter-related expenses.
