Why a timeline and not a table
A demurrage dispute is an argument about dates. The carrier's invoice has one set; the terminal has another; the trucker's EIR a third. Laying them on one timeline with their sources makes the disagreement visible in a way a spreadsheet does not — and makes the letter write itself.
What goes on it
- Vessel arrival and full discharge (terminal EDI or arrival notice)
- Container available for pickup (terminal)
- Holds: customs, terminal yard, carrier (notices)
- Gate-out full (EIR and terminal EDI)
- Handover to and from trucker (dispatch records) — the responsibility boundary
- Empty return gate-in (EIR and depot record)
- Invoice issue date and the period it claims
Calendars
Free time is counted in calendar days or working days depending on the contract; port holiday calendars differ. The timeline applies the contractual basis and marks excluded days, so "5 working days" is five actual working days at that port.
Conflicts
When two sources disagree on a timestamp, both are shown, the contract's primary-evidence rule is applied if it has one, and the difference in chargeable days is stated. The desk decides which to argue; the agent never silently picks.