What does Customary Quick Despatch require in a charter party?

What does Customary Quick Despatch require in a charter party?

• A. Charterer must load and discharge as fast as possible, with no delay fees
• B. Owner must load/discharge as slowly as possible
• C. Delays are allowed up to a grace period
• D. Demurrage is always payable regardless of delays

Answer: (A)

Customary Quick Despatch is about rewarding fast cargo handling and minimizing time in port. The idea is that the charterer should push to load and discharge as quickly as possible, so the operations finish before the agreed laytime runs out. When that happens, a despatch payment is due from the shipowner to the charterer as a reward for speedy performance. This makes quick despatch financially advantageous and reduces the vessel’s in-port time. Delays beyond laytime still trigger the usual demurrage if they occur, but the clause specifically creates an incentive for rapid completion rather than penalties for fast work. So the best description is that the charterer must move cargo as fast as possible, with the potential for despatch money when early completion occurs.

Customary Quick Despatch is about rewarding fast cargo handling and minimizing time in port. The idea is that the charterer should push to load and discharge as quickly as possible, so the operations finish before the agreed laytime runs out. When that happens, a despatch payment is due from the shipowner to the charterer as a reward for speedy performance. This makes quick despatch financially advantageous and reduces the vessel’s in-port time. Delays beyond laytime still trigger the usual demurrage if they occur, but the clause specifically creates an incentive for rapid completion rather than penalties for fast work. So the best description is that the charterer must move cargo as fast as possible, with the potential for despatch money when early completion occurs.