The uncertainties inlaytime definitions currently used in charter parties have been addressed inthe new Laytime Definitions of Charter Parties 2013. 

It was put together by Bimco, the Baltic Exchange,Comitė Maritime International (CMI) and the Federation of National Associations of Shipbrokers and Agents (FONASBA).

The new document sets out statements of meaningof words and phrases commonly used in the context of laytime and is said to reflectcontemporary market understanding based on the current state of English law.

Separatemeanings have been given to the different formulations of phrases such as“Weather Working” day, new definitions included covering “AlwaysAccessible” and “Whether in Port or Not” while a number of other provisionshave been updated or clarified.