Statement of Facts (SOF): Meaning in Shipping

A statement of facts, or SOF, is the written log of the events of a ship's call at a port, each with its time. It is the base for the laytime calculation.

What it is

At every port call the ship's agent, with the master, writes a record of what happened and when: the arrival, the notice of readiness, the berthing, the start and the end of loading or discharging, the stops and their reasons, and the departure. This is the statement of facts. It is signed by the master and often by the charterer's or the receiver's representative.

What it contains

The arrival time at the port, the time the notice was given and accepted, the time the ship was ready, when the ship moved to the berth, the time loading or discharging started and ended, and every interruption, for example rain, a breakdown of shore equipment, a strike or a shortage of trucks or wagons. Remarks on the weather and on the cargo are often included.

Why it matters

The laytime is counted from these times. The ship operator uses the statement of facts to prepare the demurrage claim, and the charterer uses it to check the claim. A missing or unclear time can change the result by a day or more, which is why both sides read it before they sign.

Good practice

Check the times against your own notes before you sign. If you disagree with an entry, write your remark on the document, because a signature without comment can be read as agreement. Keep a copy of the signed statement with the other voyage papers. Insert the reasons for any stop, so that time excluded under the charter party can be shown.

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