The demurrage claim checklist: what to assemble before you submit

Atlas Claims InsightsPublished 7 October 2026 · Reviewed 14 October 2026 · 4 min read

Most demurrage disputes are not about whether the vessel waited. They are about whether the claim was presented completely, calculated correctly and supported by the right documents. A disciplined submission removes most of the arguments before they start.

The core documents

• The charter party and recap, including any rider clauses that change laytime, demurrage or the time bar.
• Notices of readiness, with the times they were tendered and accepted.
• Statements of facts for each port, ideally signed by the master and agents, and by terminal representatives where possible.
• Pumping logs and pressure records where pumping performance is relevant.
• Port logs, berth records and agent reports explaining waiting time and delays.
• The laytime calculation, showing every exception and deduction applied.

The calculation

Set out laytime allowed, when it started, every period excepted and why, and when it ended. Show the demurrage rate and the arithmetic in full. A transparent calculation is far harder to challenge than a single total.

Common points of dispute

• Whether the notice of readiness was valid when tendered.
• Shifting time, waiting for berth and weather exceptions.
• Delays caused by the vessel, such as slow pumping or equipment failure.
• Time lost to port congestion or terminal restrictions.

Before you send it

• Check the time bar clause again, and the documents it lists.
• Cross-check every time in the calculation against the statement of facts.
• Send the claim in a way that proves when it was received.

This guide is general information about the law of England and Wales as at October 2026. It is not legal advice and may not cover your situation. Atlas Claims is not a law firm; for advice on your legal rights or on litigation, consult a qualified solicitor.