Free pratique
Meaning
Free pratique is the port health authority's clearance that the ship is free of infectious disease and may enter port and contact the shore.
Free pratique explained
Many ports grant free pratique by radio or electronically before arrival; others require a boarding inspection. Without it, the ship may not be legally ready to load or discharge.
Whether an NOR given before free pratique is valid depends on the charter wording and the governing law, which is why owners ask for WIFPON.
Related terms
WIFPON
WIFPON allows notice of readiness to be tendered before the ship has free pratique (health clearance), so laytime isn't delayed by that formality.
Notice of Readiness
A notice of readiness (NOR) is the master's formal notice that the ship has arrived and is ready in every respect to load or discharge.