Letter of protest
LOP
Meaning
A letter of protest (LOP) is a formal written complaint from the master or terminal recording a problem, such as slow pumping or a cargo discrepancy.
Also written as Note of protest
Letter of protest explained
LOPs are issued to put events on record: a terminal restricting the discharge rate, a cargo quantity difference, delays waiting for documents. They protect the issuing party's position for later claims.
Demurrage claims often depend on LOPs, for example to prove that slow pumping was caused by the shore rather than the ship.
Related terms
Statement of facts
A statement of facts (SOF) is the agent's record of every event during a port call, from arrival and NOR to hoses off, used to calculate laytime.
Pumping warranty
A pumping warranty is the owner's promise that the ship can discharge its full cargo within a set time or maintain a set pressure at the manifold.
Cargo shortage
A cargo shortage is a difference between loaded and discharged quantities; many tanker charters let charterers deduct losses above 0.5%.