Important Documentation at the Load Port

Notice of Readiness:

After the “laycan” commences and the vessel is ready in all respects to receive the nominated cargo, the Master is expected to tender a NOTICE OF READINESS indicating that his vessel is ready in all respects to commence the loading of the said cargo. This is the single most important document since the vessel starts earning freight from the moment the NOR is tendered. It is vital to understand specific clauses in the voyage orders pertaining Notice of Readiness.

Two important points to remember before tendering the NOR are:

•Ship must be an arrived ship

•Ship must be ready in all respects to load / discharge the intended cargo 

As per most charter parties, a ship is considered to be an arrived ship after she has reached the customary anchorage for the port.The NOR should be tendered via email / telex as well as by hard copy. The email should be sent out immediately following the actual NOR tendering time.

FREE PRATIQUE:

Free Pratique is a French term which means “permission granted to a ship to have dealings at a port”. The requirement for Free Pratique is a relic of the past which most modern ports have done away with.

All necessary information is exchanged prior arrival port via email and vhf. However, some ports still continue the practice of not granting free pratique on arrival.

Achieving Free Pratique becomes the owner/master’s responsibility and the charterers can deduct laytime if the vessel is not granted free pratique on arrival (generally the NOR tendering time).

Hence, it is of utmost importance that if Free Pratique is not granted on arrival, the Master promptly issues a Letter of Protest against the delay in granting Free Pratique.

This is the only way in which owners can safeguard their legitimate claim for laytime. Generally, it is advisable to issue this Letter of Protest as soon as the NOR is tendered.