A notice of readiness (NOR) is a document issued by the captain of a ship to

showcase readiness for loading or unloading goods from/into his ship. In the event
of voyage chartering, the charterer has a certain term within which the loading and
unloading activities must be carried out: the lay days. When exceeding the lay
days, the charterer must pay the shipowner compensation (demurrage). Depending on
the moment when the NOR is issued, the lay days count start.
In the event of a weather-sensitive cargo (e.g. grains that must be kept dry), the
term “weather lay day is used” or “weather working days”. In that case, periods of
weather unsuitable for loading or unloading do not count