This section captures the fundamental shipment identifiers and voyage data essential for establishing the chain of custody and contractual baseline. Accurate completion is critical for all downstream dispute resolution activities.
Master Bill of Lading Number
House Bill of Lading Number (if applicable)
Container Identification Matrix - Record all containers associated with this BOL
Container Number | Container Type ISO Code | Container Size | Seal Number Applied at Origin | Disputed Container? | Gross Weight (kg) | Tare Weight (kg) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSCU1234567 | 45G1 | 40ft HC | SML456789 | 26500 | 3900 | ||
0 | 0 | ||||||
Vessel Name
Voyage Number
Shipping Line SCAC Code or Carrier Code
Vessel Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) at Discharge Port
Vessel Actual Time of Arrival (ATA) at Discharge Port
Actual Time of Discharge (ATD) from Vessel to Terminal
Port of Loading (POL) UNLOCODE
Port of Discharge (POD) UNLOCODE
Transshipment Port(s) if applicable
Cargo Commodity Details & Classification
HS Tariff Code | Cargo Description | Declared Value (USD) | Packaging Type | Number of Packages | Marks & Numbers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8471.30 | Laptop Computers | 45000 | Cartons | 250 | N/M | |
0 | 0 | |||||
Shipper Name (Full Legal Entity)
Consignee Name (Full Legal Entity)
Notify Party Name (if different from Consignee)
Freight Payment Terms
Prepaid
Collect
Third Party Pay
FOB
CIF
CFR
Other Incoterms
Is this an Original Bill of Lading (OBL) transaction requiring surrender?
I confirm that all BOL and container data entered above matches the carrier's manifest and terminal discharge report
Document the physical condition of container(s) upon arrival at terminal yard. All observations must be recorded before any cargo manipulation occurs. This section establishes the evidentiary foundation for damage claims and liability determination.
Official Terminal Inspection Date & Time
Terminal Inspection Location (Block/Bay/Row/Slot)
Conducted By (Inspector Full Name & ID)
Was a certified third-party surveyor engaged for this inspection?
Container Exterior Structural Damage Assessment Matrix
Container Side/Location | Damage Detected? | Damage Type | Damage Description & Dimensions | Severity Score (1=Cosmetic, 5=Catastrophic) | Upload Damage Photo (with timestamp) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Wall | Dent | |||||
Rear Doors | Door Seal Failure | |||||
Left Side | Rust/Corrosion | |||||
Right Side | Dent | |||||
Roof | Roof Deformation | |||||
Floor (interior) | Floor Damage | |||||
Was any active water ingress or moisture detected inside the container?
Moisture Detection & Humidity Log - Record all measurements taken
Measurement Time | Measurement Location in Container | Relative Humidity (%) | Temperature (°C) | Dew Point | Visible Condensation? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10:30 AM | Rear doors | 85 | 28 | 25°C | ||
0 | 0 | |||||
Overall Container Weatherproofing Integrity Rating
Watertight - No defects
Weatherproof - Minor defects, no ingress risk
Compromised - Moderate defects, potential ingress
Failed - Significant defects, confirmed ingress
Catastrophic - Major structural failure
Does the container exhibit any signs of previous repairs or structural modifications?
Terminal Equipment Used for Inspection (e.g., Spreaders, Forklifts)
Weather Conditions During Inspection (wind, precipitation, temperature)
I attest that the container was inspected in its 'as-discharge' condition without any prior manipulation or repair attempts
This section quantifies the financial dispute, recalculates contested demurrage fees based on evidence, and systematically assesses liability apportionment among supply chain stakeholders. All calculations must be supported by contractual terms and factual timelines.
Demurrage Fee Calculation & Dispute Breakdown - Per Container Analysis
Container Number | Free Time Start Date | Free Time End Date | Granted Free Days | Demurrage Start Date (per Carrier) | Container Gate-Out/Detention End Date | Carrier's Daily Demurrage Rate | Carrier's Calculated Demurrage Days | Carrier's Total Demurrage Claim | Your Recalculated Disputed Amount | Disputed Value Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSCU1234567 | 7/1/2025 | 7/8/2025 | 7 | 7/9/2025 | 7/12/2025 | $150.00 | 4 | $600.00 | $0.00 | $600.00 | |
0 | $0.00 | 0 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | ||||||
$0.00 | $0.00 | ||||||||||
$0.00 | $0.00 | ||||||||||
$0.00 | $0.00 | ||||||||||
$0.00 | $0.00 | ||||||||||
$0.00 | $0.00 | ||||||||||
$0.00 | $0.00 | ||||||||||
$0.00 | $0.00 | ||||||||||
$0.00 | $0.00 |
Primary Grounds for Demurrage Fee Dispute (Select all applicable)
Carrier Delayed Vessel Arrival Beyond Schedule
Terminal Congestion Preventing Timely Discharge
Customs Hold or Inspection (Non-Shipper Fault)
Documentation Discrepancies by Carrier
Force Majeure Event (strike, weather, war)
Incorrect Free Time Application
Equipment Unavailability (no chassis, no appointment)
Container Damage Preventing Safe Transport
Other Operational Exception
Detailed Narrative Justification for Dispute - Provide chronological timeline and factual evidence
Do you possess written evidence (emails, letters, official notices) supporting the dispute grounds?
Liability Apportionment Matrix - Assign percentage responsibility to each party
Stakeholder Party | Liability Percentage (0-100%) | Confidence Level in Assessment (1=Speculative, 5=Definitive) | Legal/Contractual Basis for Liability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ocean Carrier | 30 | Late vessel arrival per Clause 4.2 of BOL | ||
Terminal Operator | 50 | Congestion due to inadequate labor planning | ||
Consignee/Shipper | 20 | Delayed customs documentation submission | ||
Other (specify) | 0 | |||
Have you attempted mitigation to minimize demurrage accumulation?
Total Financial Exposure (Sum of All Disputed Containers)
Proposed Settlement Amount (if different from recalculated value)
Applicable Contract Reference (e.g., Service Contract Number, Tariff Item)
I certify that all financial calculations have been reviewed against carrier tariffs and contractual agreements
This section verifies the integrity of customs/security seals and develops a strategic plan for cargo salvage, transfer, or disposal. Seal compromise may indicate tampering, theft, or customs intervention requiring immediate escalation.
Seal Integrity Verification & Customs Intervention Log
Container Number | Seal Number (as per BOL) | Seal Condition Observed | Observed Seal Number (if different) | Customs Inspection Conducted? | Seal Verification Timestamp | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSCU1234567 | SML456789 | Intact - Matches BOL | 7/10/2025, 2:30 PM | |||
Intact - Matches BOL | ||||||
Were any seals found to be compromised (tampered, missing, or number mismatch)?
Did customs authorities physically inspect and/or seal-cut any containers?
Cargo Condition Assessment & Salvage Feasibility Matrix
Cargo Item/HS Code | Visible Damage? | Damage Type | Estimated Damage Percentage | Estimated Damage Value (USD) | Recommended Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8471.30 | Water Damage | 40 | $18,000.00 | Repackage at Terminal | ||
No Damage | 0 | $0.00 | Deliver As-Is | |||
Salvage Operation Requirements (Select all needed services)
Deconsolidation & Sorting
Repackaging & Re-labeling
Drying/Dehumidification
Fumigation/Disinfection
Quality Control Inspection
Temporary Warehousing
Specialized Equipment (crane, forklift)
Hazardous Materials Handling
Detailed Salvage Operation Plan & Timeline
Estimated Total Salvage & Transfer Costs
Designated Salvage Facility or Warehouse Location
Proposed Cargo Transfer Start Date & Time
Insurance Claim Number (if already filed)
Is cargo covered under marine cargo insurance policy?
I confirm that salvage plan complies with terminal safety regulations and customs requirements
Final authorization requires dual verification from both Terminal Operations (physical execution accountability) and Freight Claims (financial dispute accountability). This joint sign-off validates that all preceding sections are factually accurate and that the proposed resolution path is operationally and financially sound.
Terminal Operations Manager Full Name
Terminal Operations Manager Employee ID
Terminal Operations Manager Email
Terminal Operations Manager Direct Phone
Terminal Operations Manager Digital Signature - Approving inspection findings and salvage plan
Terminal Operations Manager Sign-Off Timestamp
Terminal Operations Approval Status
Fully Approved - Proceed as Planned
Conditionally Approved - See Comments
Rejected - Requires Revision
Escalated to Terminal Director
Terminal Operations Manager Comments & Conditions (if any)
Freight Claims Director Full Name
Freight Claims Director Employee ID
Freight Claims Director Email
Freight Claims Director Direct Phone
Freight Claims Director Digital Signature - Approving financial recalibration and liability assessment
Freight Claims Director Sign-Off Timestamp
Freight Claims Approval Status
Fully Approved - Authorize Settlement
Conditionally Approved - Negotiate Terms
Rejected - Insufficient Evidence
Escalated to Legal Department
Freight Claims Director Comments & Settlement Mandate (if any)
Document Verification Checklist - Confirm all supporting materials are attached
Document Type | Attached & Verified | Document Reference Number | Document Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Original Bill of Lading | MAEU123456789 | 6/28/2025 | ||
Terminal Discharge Report | TDR-2025-789 | 7/10/2025 | ||
Damage Inspection Photos | PHOTO-SET-001 | 7/10/2025 | ||
Demurrage Invoice from Carrier | INV-DEM-2025-456 | 7/15/2025 | ||
Customs Inspection Report (if applicable) | ||||
Third-Party Survey Report (if applicable) | ||||
Email Correspondence with Carrier | EMAIL-THREAD-007 | 7/12/2025 | ||
Does this dispute require escalation to executive leadership or legal counsel?
Both signatories confirm that all information provided is accurate to the best of their knowledge and that they have authority to bind their respective organizations