The people who contribute to the SOF are invited to do so by either the Owner or Charterer. They are sent an email that contains a link to the SOF. This is a secure link that is personal to them and exists for one port. The link expires when the port call is complete. This provides a frictionless way for SOF contributors to access SOFeXchange without having to register for an account.
SOFeXchange is a system that allows for the collaborative creation and distribution of the statement of facts when a vessel visits a port. This is sometimes also known as a Time Sheet. Every bulk cargo vessel creates one of these for each port call. It can be created by the Master, the Agent, Inspector or a combination of these. It is used by the Charterer, Owner and various trading companies to create the laytime calculation.
A principal, either a charterer or and owner, will create a voyage in SOFeXchange. They add ports to the voyage. They invite interested parties to contribute to the SOF. This always includes the master of the vessel, and can optionally include the agent and inspector.
In addition, trading partners, such as the consignor or receiver of the cargo, can be invited on a port by port basis. These people can have access to the full SOF but may not add or amend entries.
The people who contribute to create the SOF are able to work on it at the same time. As one enters an event it is instantly displayed to the the others. Hence, everyone has an up to date view of the SOF as it is created.
The sort answer is anyone can. However the accounts are aimed at Charterers, Owners, Traders, Receivers and Consigners of cargo. In short, those people who will need to perform a laytime calculation to build a claim for demurrage or despatch.
However, it is possible for a Port Agent to also have an accout, especially if they wish to create the port calls themselves and do a bulk upload of the SOF events.