When shipping agricultural commodities like soybeans from Brazil, the ANEC 42 FOB contract is one of the most commonly used documents. If you’re dealing with ocean freight and port operations, it’s crucial to understand how Notice of Readiness (NOR) and laytime operate under ANEC — especially when weekends are involved.
One recurring question is:
Can laytime commence on Saturday at 0800 if NOR is validly tendered on Friday under ANEC 42 FOB?
Let’s explore that — but first, let’s understand what ANEC contracts are all about.
What Are ANEC Contracts?
➤ Origin and Purpose
ANEC stands for Associação Nacional dos Exportadores de Cereais (Brazil’s National Association of Cereal Exporters). ANEC contracts are standardized FOB contracts used primarily for bulk exports of grains and oilseeds, including soybeans, corn, and wheat, out of Brazil.
They are designed to:
- Standardize trade terms
- Allocate risks and responsibilities between sellers and buyers
- Streamline port operations and shipping schedules
➤ Most Common Types
| Contract Code | Commodity | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| ANEC 41 | Soybeans – FOB | General use |
| ANEC 42 | Soybeans – FOB | Most used for bulk shipments |
| ANEC 43 | Corn – FOB | For corn exports |
| ANEC 44 | Wheat – FOB | Wheat exports from Brazil |
Key Features of ANEC 42 FOB
🔹 Port of Loading
- Usually Brazilian ports like Santos, Paranaguá, Itaqui, etc.
🔹 Delivery Terms
- Free On Board (FOB): Seller delivers the goods once they are loaded onto the ship; buyer takes over costs and risks after that.
🔹 NOR (Notice of Readiness)
- Must be tendered when vessel is ready in all respects to load.
- Valid only within office hours (typically Mon–Fri 0800–1700, Sat 0800–1100 if allowed).
🔹 Laytime
- Usually begins 0800 next working day after valid NOR.
- Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are excluded unless contract states otherwise.
NOR & Laytime on Saturdays
Just because the vessel tenders NOR on a Friday or even on a Saturday morning, doesn’t mean laytime starts on Saturday.
By default, Saturday is not considered a working day under ANEC 42. Laytime will begin at 0800 on Monday unless your contract has specific clauses to include Saturday.
Key Rule:
Laytime does not automatically commence on Saturday unless the contract includes wording like “Saturdays included if used.”
Example 1: With Standard ANEC 42 Without Weekend Inclusion
Contract Terms:
- NOR valid Mon–Fri (0800–1700), Sat (0800–1100)
- Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded
Scenario:
- NOR tendered: Friday 1400
- Loading starts: Saturday 1000
- Laytime starts: Monday 0800
| Day | Event | Laytime Status |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | NOR tendered at 1400 | Valid NOR |
| Saturday | Loading starts at 1000 | ❌ Not counted |
| Sunday | No work | ❌ Not counted |
| Monday | 0800 | ✅ Laytime begins |
Example 2: With Modified ANEC 42 With Clause “Saturdays Included If Used”
Contract Terms:
- NOR valid on Friday
- Clause: “Saturdays included if used”
- Loading starts Saturday at 1000
Scenario:
- NOR tendered: Friday at 1400
- Loading starts: Saturday at 1000
- Laytime starts: Saturday at 0800
| Day | Event | Laytime Status |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | NOR tendered at 1400 | Valid NOR |
| Saturday | Loading starts at 1000 | ✅ Laytime starts at 0800 |
| Sunday | No work | ❌ Not counted |
| Monday | Continuing | ✅ Laytime continues |
Summary Table: Does Saturday Count?
| Scenario | Saturday Counted Toward Laytime? |
|---|---|
| NOR on Friday, no clause, no loading | ❌ No |
| NOR on Friday, loading Sat, no clause | ❌ No |
| NOR on Friday, loading Sat, clause present | ✅ Yes |
| NOR on Saturday, clause allows tendering | ✅ Yes (if clause says “if used”) |
If you see something like this, Saturday will count if there’s actual cargo activity.
Tips for Traders and Operators
- Review contract clauses carefully – especially those regarding working days and exceptions.
- Clarify local port practices – some Brazilian ports do work Saturdays.
- Coordinate with charterers/agents to confirm readiness, port holidays, and NOR acceptability.
- Document all events precisely: NOR tender time, cargo readiness, loading start, etc.
Conclusion
In ANEC 42 FOB contracts, Saturdays are not considered working days by default. Even if NOR is validly tendered on Friday or Saturday, laytime will not begin until 0800 on the next working day, which is usually Monday — unless your contract includes language such as “Saturdays included if used.”
Misunderstanding this can lead to disputes, especially when calculating demurrage. Always check your contract, port practices, and plan accordingly.
