WIBON · WIPON · SHEX · SHINC Supported

Free Online Laytime & Demurrage
Calculator for Dry Bulk

Calculate laytime used, demurrage and despatch with full SOF support and charter party exception handling. Professional-grade tool — completely free.

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SOF
Import Support
WIBON
/ WIPON / SHEX
Auto
Demurrage Calc
100%
Free to Use
Features

Full Laytime Calculation in One Tool

Handle complex charter party laytime clauses, exceptions, and produce accurate demurrage or despatch results.

SOF Import & Parsing

Import Statement of Facts directly. AI-assisted SOF parsing extracts dates, times and events automatically.

NOR Tendering & Acceptance

Set NOR tender time, accepted time, and any laytime commencement delay per the charter party terms.

Stoppages & Deductions

Add rain, breakdown, gear failure, and other stoppages with start/end times. Automatic deduction from laytime used.

SHEX / SHINC / FHEX

Configure Sundays and Holidays Excepted or Included, Friday-Holiday Excepted, and custom exception periods.

WIBON / WIPON Handling

Whether In Berth or Not — laytime starts on NOR even if waiting for berth. Configure per charter party clause.

Demurrage & Despatch Result

Automatic calculation of demurrage or despatch with daily rate, total time on demurrage, and total amount due.

Key Terminology

Laytime Terms Explained

Charter party laytime clauses can be complex. Here are the most important terms used in dry bulk laytime calculation.

NOR

Notice of Readiness

Written notice from the master that the vessel is ready to load or discharge. Laytime starts from NOR tendering/acceptance.

WIBON

Whether In Berth Or Not

Laytime starts on NOR tender even if the vessel is waiting at anchorage for a berth to become available.

SHEX

Sundays & Holidays Excepted

Sundays and public holidays do not count against laytime. Common in grain and some bulk trades.

SHINC

Sundays & Holidays Included

Laytime runs continuously including Sundays and holidays. Standard in many modern bulk charter parties.

DEMURRAGE

Excess Port Time Charge

Daily rate paid by charterer when laytime is exceeded. Typically $5,000–$30,000/day depending on vessel size.

DESPATCH

Bonus for Early Completion

Payment by shipowner to charterer for completing operations before laytime expires. Usually half the demurrage rate.

How it works

Calculate Laytime in Minutes

1

Enter Charter Party Terms

Set allowed laytime (hours or rate-based), demurrage rate, despatch rate, and SHEX/SHINC exception type.

2

Input NOR & SOF Events

Enter NOR tender time, acceptance time, and all cargo operation events from the Statement of Facts.

3

Add Stoppages

Record rain delays, equipment breakdowns, and any other interruptions with start and end times.

4

Get Demurrage Result

Laytime used, time on demurrage/in despatch, and total amount due calculated automatically.

FAQ

Laytime & Demurrage — Common Questions

What is laytime in shipping?
Laytime is the contractual time allowed to the charterer for loading or discharging cargo. It is specified in the charter party and may be expressed as a fixed number of hours/days or as a rate (e.g. 5,000 MT per weather working day). Once laytime is consumed, demurrage begins to accrue at the agreed daily rate.
What is the difference between demurrage and despatch?
Demurrage is the daily penalty paid by the charterer when cargo operations exceed the agreed laytime. Despatch is the opposite — a bonus paid by the shipowner when operations are completed faster than the allowed laytime. Despatch is typically paid at half the demurrage rate and must be explicitly agreed in the charter party.
When does laytime start — NOR tender or acceptance?
This depends on the charter party. Under WIBON terms, laytime starts from NOR tender (even if the vessel is waiting for a berth). Under AAAA (Arrived Ship) terms, NOR can only be tendered once the vessel is at the berth. Typically, laytime starts after a notice period following acceptance — e.g. "6 hours after NOR acceptance" — as specified in the charter party.
Does rain stop laytime from counting?
Under WWDSHEX (Weather Working Days, Sundays and Holidays Excepted) terms, rain that prevents cargo operations does not count against laytime. Under SHINC terms, weather time generally still counts. The charter party wording is critical — VoyBulk's calculator lets you specify stoppages and whether they are deductible from laytime.
Is the laytime calculator free?
Yes. VoyBulk's laytime and demurrage calculator is completely free. Register for a free account to access it along with the voyage estimator, TCE calculator, and port distance tool.

Calculate Laytime & Demurrage — Free

Stop doing laytime calculations in spreadsheets. Use VoyBulk's structured calculator with full charter party support.

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