What is Laycan?
Laycan — short for laydays and cancelling date — is the agreed window during which a chartered vessel must arrive at the load port and tender a valid notice of readiness. It has two edges: the first layday, before which the charterer need not start loading, and the cancelling date, after which the charterer may cancel the charter.
At a glance
| Term | Laycan |
|---|---|
| Definition | Window of dates during which the vessel must arrive at the loading port. |
| Category | Logistics & delivery |
| Related terms | Incoterms, EXW (Ex Works), FOB, CIF, DDP, B/L (Bill of Lading), Demurrage |
What it is used for
Laycan lets buyer, seller and shipowner coordinate a cargo and a ship that are arranged separately. The seller must have cargo ready inside the window; the owner must have the vessel there inside it.
Key points
- Stated as a date range in the charter party and mirrored in the sales contract, for example '10–15 March'.
- If the vessel arrives before the first layday, laytime does not start early unless the charterer accepts.
- If the vessel misses the cancelling date, the charterer typically has the option to cancel — but is not obliged to.
- Laytime, and therefore demurrage exposure, begins after a valid notice of readiness plus any agreed turn time.
What to watch for
- A narrow laycan increases the chance of a missed window and a cancelled fixture; a wide one weakens the seller's planning.
- The sales contract laycan and the charter party laycan must be consistent, or one party is exposed to a gap.
- Notice of readiness rules — where and when it can be tendered — decide when the clock starts. Read them.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if the vessel arrives after the cancelling date?
The charterer usually has the right to cancel the charter. Often they instead negotiate a revised laycan, since finding a replacement ship may be worse.
Does laycan mean the loading period?
No. Laycan is the arrival window. The time allowed for loading is laytime, which is a separate contractual allowance.
Can laycan be extended?
Yes, by agreement between the parties, usually in exchange for a commercial concession.
Related terms
Lodfy verifies every company on the platform — registration, ownership and sanctions screening — before they can trade.