Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need?
The statement of facts (SOF), the notice of readiness (NOR) and the charter party or fixture recap. Where the recap and the charter party differ, the recap wins. If the cargo quantity on the SOF differs from the NOR, Demca flags it so you can check it against the bill of lading.
Which file formats work?
PDF, including scanned pages without a text layer, photos, Word documents (.docx) and e-mails (.eml).
How long does a calculation take?
Usually a few minutes. A long, multi-page SOF can take up to 10 minutes to read.
Which laytime terms are not supported yet?
Half-day terms (for example SATPM) and SOFs kept hatch by hatch. When a voyage has one of these, Demca tells you it cannot calculate it instead of giving you a figure you can't rely on. Each port is calculated on its own; reversible or averaged laytime across several ports is not combined yet.
How do I know the figures are right?
The calculation logic follows English case law and the standard texts on laytime and demurrage, and every rule is covered by tests. Every line of the timesheet links back to the place in the document it came from, and lines where the reading is uncertain or a clause is open to argument are flagged for you to decide.
Can I change the timesheet?
Yes. Before calculating you see the extracted timesheet and terms on one screen and can change any line — whether it counts, is excepted, or stays excepted on demurrage — and correct times and terms. The result is calculated from your version.
What do I export?
An Excel workbook with live formulas, so your counterparty can follow every step, or a PDF ready to send.
Is my data safe? Is it used to train AI models?
Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. Each organisation sees only its own voyages, and source documents sit in private storage until you delete the voyage. Your documents are never used to train AI models. A data processing agreement is available on request.
Can I try it for free?
Yes. A new account can run 3 calculations or use Demca for 3 days, whichever comes first, without a card. After that there is one plan with unlimited calculations; you see the price in your account before you pay.