MV BUENOS AIRES · San Lorenzo (Up-River), Argentina → Shanghai, China

Statement of Facts events (7)

Extracted from the SoF PDF by Claude Sonnet 4.6 + Mistral OCR. Every event carries a verbatim citation back to the source document (CP#4).

1. 01
   NOR_TENDEREDSun, 05 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT· San Lorenzo OPL
2. 02
   NOR_ACCEPTEDSun, 05 Apr 2026 14:30:00 GMT· San Lorenzo OPL
3. 03
   FREE_PRATIQUE_GRANTEDSun, 05 Apr 2026 15:00:00 GMT· San Lorenzo
4. 04
   BERTHEDMon, 06 Apr 2026 08:00:00 GMT· Terminal 6
5. 05
   LOADING_STARTMon, 06 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT· Terminal 6
6. 06
   LOADING_COMPLETEFri, 10 Apr 2026 16:00:00 GMT· Terminal 6
7. 07
   COBFri, 10 Apr 2026 17:00:00 GMT· Terminal 6

Laytime rules applied (118)

Each rule is codified with ≥7 public-domain sources (Schofield, Cooke, BIMCO, LMAA). Full source dossier available in the LMAA submission package.

• CANCELLATION_CLAUSE
• LAYCAN_RIDER_EXTENSION
• NOR_VALIDITY_BASIC
• NOR_NOTIFICATION_METHOD
• ANTI_TECHNICALITY_CLAUSE
• ARRIVED_SHIP_DOCTRINE
• WIBON_WIPON_WIFPON
• COMMENCE_AT_BERTH_ONLY
• NOR_OFFICE_HOURS
• CUSTOMS_CLEARANCE_REQUIREMENT
• CARGO_RETENTION_CUSTOMS
• SEAWORTHINESS_DUTY
• PERFORMANCE_WARRANTIES
• CARGO_CARE_DURING_VOYAGE
• PRE_LOADING_HOLD_INSPECTION_FAILURE
• TURN_TIME_APPLICATION
• WAITING_FOR_BERTH
• SUBSTITUTE_VESSEL
• STOWAGE_PLAN_DISPUTE
• STEVEDORE_DAMAGE
• PILOTAGE_DELAY
• TUGS_UNAVAILABLE
• WAR_RISKS_CLAUSE
• BLOCKING_BY_OTHER_VESSEL
• AGENT_INCOMPETENCE_DELAY
• NEGLIGENCE_OF_OWNER
• DEAD_FREIGHT
• SAFE_PORT_WARRANTY
• ALWAYS_AFLOAT_WARRANTY
• NOMINATION_FAILURE
• DESPATCH_RATE_APPLICATION
• SSHEX_COUNTING
• WEATHER_EXCEPTION
• WEATHER_WORKING_DAY_DEFINITION
• BREAKDOWN_EXCEPTION
• STRIKE_EXCEPTION
• ICE_CLAUSE
• CUSTOM_OF_PORT_LOCAL_PRACTICE
• HOLIDAY_DEFINITION_PER_PORT
• EIU_AND_UU_MODIFIERS
• SHIFTING_BETWEEN_BERTHS
• BUNKER_OPERATIONS
• SLOP_DISPOSAL
• LIGHTERING_OPERATIONS
• DRAFT_SURVEY_TIME
• HOLD_CLEANING
• MULTI_PORT_REVERSIBILITY
• AVERAGING
• OOMAOM
• PRO_RATA_DEMURRAGE_CALCULATION
• INHERENT_VICE_CARGO_DETERIORATION
• TIME_BAR_ENFORCEMENT
• DEMURRAGE_TIME_BAR_FORM_VARIATIONS
• INVOICE_PRESENTATION_REQUIREMENTS
• INTEREST_ON_DEMURRAGE
• SET_OFF_RIGHTS
• SOF_EVIDENTIARY_WEIGHT
• BURDEN_OF_PROOF_ALLOCATION
• CESSER_CLAUSE
• LIEN_CLAUSE
• DEVIATION_CLAUSE
• CLAUSE_PARAMOUNT
• APPLICABLE_LAW_CLAUSE
• JURISDICTION_ARBITRATION_CLAUSE
• SANCTIONS_CLAUSE
• FORCE_MAJEURE_CLAUSE
• CARGO_RETENTION_QUARANTINE
• BR_FORO_ARBITRAL
• BR_LINDB_LEI_ESTRANGEIRA
• BR_LGPD_DATA_HANDLING
• AR_CASO_FORTUITO_CCC
• AR_BUENA_FE_CONTRATOS_CCC
• AR_PRESCRIPCION_DEMURRAGE_LEY20094
• AR_PUERTO_SEGURO_LEY20094
• AR_NOR_LEY20094
• AR_USOS_PUERTO_LEY20094
• AR_ARBITRAJE_INTERNACIONAL_LEY27449
• AR_FORO_BUENOS_AIRES_LEY20094
• AR_DGA_TRAMITES_ADUANEROS
• AR_HIDROVIA_CONGESTION_UPRIVER
• WARNING_PORT_CONGESTION_SEASONAL
• WARNING_CUSTOM_OF_PORT_DIVERGENCE
• SUSPICIOUS_LARGE_DESPATCH
• SUSPICIOUS_LARGE_DEMURRAGE
• TIME_BAR_EXPIRED_OUTPUT_NONZERO
• IMPLAUSIBLE_HOURS
• CROSS_VALIDATION_SOF_CP
• COA_SCOPE_DRIFT
• COA_TERMINATION_NOTICE
• COA_VESSEL_SUBSTITUTION
• COA_PERFORMANCE_OBLIGATION
• COA_DEMURRAGE_ALLOCATION
• SUBCHARTER_PRIVITY
• SUBCHARTER_RATE_DIFFERENTIAL
• SUBCHARTER_DISPUTE_CASCADE
• SUBCHARTER_TIME_BAR_INHERITANCE
• SLOT_CHARTER_ALLOCATION
• SLOT_CHARTER_NO_SHOW
• SLOT_CHARTER_TRANSFER
• POOL_EARNINGS_DISTRIBUTION
• POOL_VOYAGE_SELECTION
• POOL_TIME_BAR_POOLED
• POOL_PERFORMANCE_INDEX
• VESSEL_LIEN_ON_CARGO
• CARGO_LIEN_BY_CHARTERER
• CHARTERER_LIEN_ON_SUBFREIGHT
• LIEN_NOTICE_REQUIREMENT
• LIEN_RELEASE_PROCEDURE
• DAMAGE_DURING_DEMURRAGE
• CAUSE_ATTRIBUTION_DAMAGE
• OWNER_MITIGATION_DUTY
• CARGO_CLAIM_SET_OFF
• BUNKER_QUALITY_DELAY
• BUNKER_TIME_OFF_HIRE
• BUNKER_SURCHARGE_TRIGGER
• WAR_RISK_TRADING_LIMITS
• CARGO_DOCUMENTATION_DELAY
• LMAA_PRECEDENT_LOOKUP

Analyst notes (71)

Engine flags each clause needing customer review. First 5 shown below.

• CANCELLATION_CLAUSE: customer verify laycan window em CP. Laydays = earliest NOR; cancelling date = latest arrival before charterer pode cancel. Vessel early: charterer pode delay laytime start. Vessel late: charterer cancels sem liability. Owner improper cancellation: damages for market loss (ballast + freight). BIMCO Cancelling Clause 2002 standard.
• LAYCAN_RIDER_EXTENSION: customer verify rider clauses. "Slip laycan" permits N-day extension via mutual consent. "Firm laycan" no slippage. "Substitute laycan" entire window replaced. LATAM CPs (Synacomex/Norgrain): laycan tied to grain elevator availability. Brazilian iron ore: mining production schedule. Argentine grain: Up-River elevator. Mutual consent required (no unilateral). Addenda document changes.
• NOR_VALIDITY_BASIC is draft-pre-sme: does not check WIPON/WIBON/WIFPON/WCCON, free pratique, customs, pumping readiness
• NOR_NOTIFICATION_METHOD: customer verify CP notification method clause. Asbatankvoy Cl. 6: telex/written. BPVoy 3: fax confirmed by telex. Modern CPs: email increasingly accepted. Default English law: any reasonable method. The Port Russell: enumerated list = exhaustive (closed). Recipient: charterer ou authorised agent (não pilot/port authority/terminal). Waiver via subsequent action sem protest cures defect.
• ANTI_TECHNICALITY_CLAUSE: customer verify CP. NYPE 2015 cl. 11(b) standard 3 banking days cure. BIMCO Anti-Technicality 2002 standard. Three notice elements required: (1) identify default; (2) state cure period; (3) warn of withdrawal. The Afovos [1983]: premature notice invalid. The Li Hai [2005]: clear banking days computation excluding day of notice. The Nanfri: bona fide deductions bar withdrawal. Cannot validate fundamentally bad NOR — só minor defects.

+ 66 more warnings in the full audit report.

**Subject:** DEMURRAGE DISPUTE — MV BUENOS AIRES — VOYAGE 2026-Rosario-Shanghai-002 — USD 65,000 claimed, USD 102,500 disputed

**To:** Norsul SA
Demurrage Department
São Paulo, Brazil

**From:** Cofco International Argentina SA
Logistics Department — Rosario
Reference: COFCO-AR-DEM-2026-002

**Date:** 28 May 2026

---

Dear Sirs,

We refer to your demurrage invoice dated [date], claim sum **USD 65,000.00**, in respect of voyage 2026-Rosario-Shanghai-002 (MV BUENOS AIRES, soybean meal, San Lorenzo (Up-River)→Shanghai, Synacomex 2000 form).

We have completed an independent audit using the Demurrage.IA deterministic calculation engine and respectfully dispute the claim in its entirety. The audit determined the vessel was entitled to **despatch USD 37,500.00**, producing a net amount **due to Charterer of USD 102,500.00**.

## 1. Engine calculation

- **Laytime allowed:** 72.00 h (Synacomex 2000 + SSHEX + 12h turn time)
- **Laytime used:** 30.00 h (per SoF events, Sundays excluded)
- **Delta:** -42.00 h (vessel completed 1.75 days early)
- **Despatch rate:** USD 12,500/day × 42 h = **USD 37,500.00 owing to Charterer**

## 2. Identified errors in your invoice

a. **SSHEX counting wrongly applied.** Per Synacomex 2000 Box 13 the counting basis is SSHEX (Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays Excepted). Your calculation appears to include Saturday 9 April 2026 in the laytime count. SSHEX excludes Saturdays at Up-River grain terminals per *custom of port* (Argentine grain ports follow strict ABS calendar) — see CUSTOM_OF_PORT_LOCAL_PRACTICE rule with citations to Schofield 8th ed §4.25, Cooke Ch. 16, and Milantic case (Argentine SC).

b. **Berthing 6 April 08:00 UTC, loading 10:00 UTC — efficient terminal turnaround.** Vessel cleared 55,000 MT of soybean meal in 4.25 days at Terminal 6 (Up-River). This exceeds the contractual loading rate; despatch crystallised at COB.

c. **No exception events recorded.** No weather delays, no strikes, no breakdowns appear in SoF. Owner has provided no justification for the demurrage claim.

## 3. Applicable authorities

- **Synacomex 2000 Boxes 13, 19, 22** (counting basis, demurrage/despatch rates)
- **BIMCO Laytime Definitions for Charter Parties 2013** (SSHEX, despatch)
- **The Solholt** [1981] (Owner cannot benefit from own breach)
- **Schofield "Laytime and Demurrage" 8th ed** §4.20 (holiday definitions), §6.50-6.60 (despatch on working time saved)

Engine codified 70 laytime rules applied to this voyage with citations to source documents.

## 4. Demand

We demand:

1. **Withdrawal** of your demurrage invoice in the sum of USD 65,000.00; and
2. **Payment** to Charterer of despatch USD 37,500.00 within **fourteen (14) days** from this letter.

## 5. Reservation of rights

All Charterer's rights and remedies are expressly reserved.

Yours faithfully,

**Cofco International Argentina SA**

Enclosures: Annex A (Demurrage.IA audit PDF); Annex B (rules dossier); Annex C (citations CSV).

Synthetic case; real letters are tailored to your CP rider clauses + factual record.