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Demurrage and detention
In bulk shipping, demurrage is the daily compensation the charterer pays the shipowner when laytime is exceeded (e.g. USD 15,000 per day). In container shipping, demurrage is charged by the line when a full container stays in the terminal beyond its free time, and detention when the container is kept outside the terminal – at the buyer’s warehouse – beyond its free time. Customs delays inflate these costs quickly, so free days should be settled when negotiating freight.
Draft survey
A method of calculating the weight of bulk cargo loaded or discharged by reading a ship’s draughts at six points before and after cargo work and correcting for seawater density, ballast, fuel and fresh water. For coal, ores, grain and fertiliser the bill of lading quantity is usually set this way, with an accuracy of about ±0.5 %. Having it performed by an independent surveyor such as SGS, Intertek or Bureau Veritas increases confidence on both sides.