Demurrage Laws

Demurrage laws in shipping refer to charges incurred when cargo is not loaded or unloaded from a ship within the agreed time frame. When the time allowed for loading or unloading, known as "laytime," is exceeded, the shipowner can impose fees on the cargo owner or charterer. These fees cover the additional costs of keeping the ship waiting and can encourage prompt handling of cargo. Demurrage aims to promote efficiency in shipping operations and helps prevent delays that can impact the supply chain.