Demurrage Claims and Dispute Resolution

About the Course

Demurrage remains one of the most commercially sensitive areas of maritime and energy logistics, with direct consequences for cost control, contractual performance, and business relationships. In today’s operating environment, organisations face increasing exposure to delays arising from port congestion, terminal inefficiencies, regulatory requirements, and complex supply chains. These delays frequently translate into financial claims and disputes, placing pressure on commercial, operational, and contract management teams to demonstrate accuracy, consistency, and compliance with contractual obligations. Effective handling of demurrage, therefore, requires more than technical calculation; it demands a clear understanding of how operational events, documentation, and contractual terms interact to create or mitigate financial liability.

This 5-day Demurrage Claims and Dispute Resolution training course is designed to strengthen delegates’ ability to manage demurrage from a commercial, operational, and dispute management perspective. It equips professionals with the knowledge required to interpret contractual responsibilities, evaluate delay-related exposure, and prepare claims that are commercially sound and contractually defensible. Emphasis is placed on linking operational conduct to financial and legal outcomes, enabling delegates to understand how day-to-day decisions influence recovery, liability, and the escalation of disputes. Also, it supports improved coordination among the commercial, operational, and claims functions by promoting a structured approach to time-related issues and contractual accountability. By enhancing awareness of risk drivers and best practices in claims handling, delegates will be better positioned to reduce avoidable losses, resolve disputes more effectively, and protect organisational interests.

Core Objectives

By the end of the training course, delegates will be able to:

• Recognise key concepts and terminology related to demurrage, laytime, and delay responsibility
• Explain how operational events and contractual provisions give rise to demurrage exposure
• Interpret charterparty clauses and supporting documents to determine entitlement and liability
• Apply established methods to calculate, prepare, and submit demurrage claims
• Analyse delay scenarios to identify causes, contractual consequences, and evidentiary requirements
• Evaluate demurrage disputes against contractual obligations, commercial impact, and dispute resolution standards
• Develop structured approaches to controlling demurrage risk and strengthening organisational claims management practices

Training Approach

This training course applies a structured, professionally facilitated methodology integrating commercial scenarios and guided discussion. The design supports stronger decision-making and enables delegates to manage demurrage risk and dispute outcomes with improved contractual and commercial control.

The Attendees

This training course targets professionals with responsibility for shipping operations, contract performance, and claims administration who require a commercially focused approach to managing demurrage exposure and dispute outcomes.

It will be valuable to the professionals, but not limited to the following:

• Chartering Managers
• Commercial Managers
• Demurrage and Claims Officers
• Shipping and Marine Operations Managers
• Contract Managers and Contract Administrators
• Trading and Logistics Professionals
• Terminal and Port Operations Personnel
• Finance and Cost Control Professionals
• Legal Support and Dispute Management Teams
• Professionals responsible for Vessel Scheduling, Cargo Movements, or Claims Recovery

Daily Discussion

DAY ONE: COMMERCIAL AND CONTRACTUAL CONTEXT OF DEMURRAGE

• Commercial Purpose of Demurrage
• Relationship between Laytime and Demurrage
• Rights and Obligations of Contractual Parties
• Time-related Risk in Maritime Logistics
• Key Demurrage Clauses and Risk Allocation
• Market Practices affecting Delay Exposure
• Commercial Decision-making in Demurrage Management

DAY TWO: LAYTIME CALCULATION AND DELAY RESPONSIBILITY

• Commencement and Expiry of Laytime
• Notice of Readiness and Legal Effect
• Interruptions and Exceptions
• Loading and Discharging Obligations
• Weather and Operational Constraint
• Allocation of Delay Responsibility
• Operational Records for Calculation

DAY THREE: DEMURRAGE CLAIMS PREPARATION AND RECOVERY

• Structure of Demurrage Claims
• Time Bars and Notice Requirements
• Supporting Evidence and Records
• Quantification of Demurrage and Dispatch
• Submission of Claims
• Settlement Negotiations
• Financial Impact of Recovery

DAY FOUR: DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND LEGAL REMEDIES

• Causes of Demurrage Disputes
• Interpretation of Demurrage Clauses
• Arbitration and Litigation Option
• Jurisdiction and Governing Law
• Evidentiary Standards
• Expert and Witness Evidence
• Enforcement of Outcomes

DAY FIVE: RISK CONTROL AND STRATEGIC CLAIMS MANAGEMENT

• Dispute Prevention through Contract Control
• Drafting of Demurrage Clauses
• Negotiation of Delay Risk
• Internal Claims Procedures
• Relationship Management in Disputes
• Cost Control and Escalation
• Integration into Commercial Operations

Certificate Awarded

Upon successful completion of this training course, participants will be awarded a Certificate of Completion from XCalibre Training Centre, acknowledging their accomplishment. This certificate serves as a testament to their dedication to developing their skills and advancing their expertise in their respective fields.