NOVEMBER 2025 EXAMINATION SESSION
MONDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2025 - MORNING
PORT AGENCY
Time allowed – three hours
Answer any FIVE questions – all questions carry equal marks
Please read the questions carefully before answering
1. Discuss the concept of the charterers nominated agent in a voyage charter party, and the
reasons why the charterer may choose to nominate the port agent.
2. You are the charterers nominated agent for a handy-sized bulk carrier discharging a cargo of
grain. During the discharge there has been intermittent periods of rain. In order to improve the
discharge rate the shipowners have requested that the agent liaises with the charterer and
presents the shipowner with a rain letter. The request for the rain letter has been duly rejected
by the charterer. Advise your position.
3. Define FOUR of the following abbreviations and explain their use.
i. FHEX
ii. VLCC
iii. NOR
iv. BIMCO
v. SOLAS
4. You have boarded a ship on arrival at a port of your choice. Discuss TEN certificates you would
expect a vessel to have onboard in order to comply with international regulations.
5. You are the charterers nominated agent for a vessel which has called at a port of your choice
to discharge cargo. You have arranged stevedores and trucks to discharge and transport the
cargo directly to the receivers’ premises. However, you have not as yet received the original
bill of lading. Consequently, the Master has refused to open the hatches until an original bill of
lading is presented. Discuss your actions and the role of the original bill of lading in this specific
situation.
PLEASE TURN OVER.
6. Compile a detailed time sheet and calculate demurrage or despatch due from the information
within the Statement of Facts.
MV “Tutorship”
Arrived Buenos Aires Roads 1500 Hours Monday 3rd March
NOR Tendered 1600 Hours Monday 3rd March
Loading Commenced 0700 Hours Tuesday 4th March
Loading Completed 1800 Hours Tuesday 11th March
Vessel Sailed Buenos Aires 0100 Hours Wednesday 12th March
Cargo Loaded 20,000 M/Tonnes Grain
C/P States :-
“Laytime to commence at 1300 Hours if notice is given before Noon, at 0700 Hours next
working day if given after noon: Notice to be given in ordinary working hours”
“Cargo to be loaded at the rate of 5,000 metric tonnes per weather working day of 24
consecutive hours.”
Time from 1700 Friday or the day preceding a holiday to 0800 Hours Monday or next
working day not to count unless used, but half of actual time used to count, unless vessel
already on demurrage.
The port loaded the vessel 24 hrs per day
Demurrage rate USD 5,000 Per Day and Pro Rata/Despatch at half demurrage rate on
laytime saved.
On Tuesday 4th March Rain stopped loading between 1800-2100 hrs
On Wednesday 5th March Rain stopped loading between 1000-1300
On Thursday 6th March 1000-1500 the vessel was unable to receive cargo due to temporary
shortage of supply from the charterer.
No local, national or international holidays occurred during this period of time
7. Using the world map provided, show appropriate load and discharge ports, suitable vessel
types, dimensions and tonnages as well as trade routes for ONE of the following cargo
movements:
a) Iron Ore
b) LNG
8. You are owners’ agent for a vessel which has discharged a cargo of fuel oil in a port of your
choice. One of your agency staff members has incorrectly calculated the initial pro forma
disbursement. The vessel has now completed the port call and sailed. Prefunding for the
requested pro forma amount has been received. However, final invoices have been received,
and the total port cost is USD 30,000 more than the pro forma disbursement due to the
error. You have contacted the owners who have rejected the additional costs. Discuss your
actions.