Disputes with port agents: checking disbursement accounts

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

Port agents pay a wide range of costs on behalf of the ship, from port dues and pilotage to launch hire and husbandry services. Most accounts are correct, but disputes over final disbursement accounts are common, especially where several ports or long delays are involved.

Proforma and final accounts

The proforma disbursement account (PDA) estimates costs and is usually funded in advance. The final disbursement account (FDA) should reconcile every cost actually paid against the funds received.

What to check

• A supporting third-party invoice for every cost item.
• Agency fees against the agreed tariff or nomination terms.
• Exchange rates used and bank charges applied.
• Items in the FDA that did not appear in the PDA, and why.
• Unspent advance funds, which should be refunded or credited.

Common points of dispute

• Unexplained surcharges, overtime and “miscellaneous” items.
• Costs caused by the agent’s own error or delay.
• Charges for services not requested or not provided.

Resolving it

Set out the disputed items in writing with your reasons, pay or confirm the undisputed balance, and ask for the documents you need. A structured, item-by-item approach usually resolves matters quickly; where it does not, the amounts are often worth negotiating as part of a wider settlement.

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.