diff --git a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.service.ts b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.service.ts
index be6a8ea10..44e0eff14 100644
--- a/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.service.ts
+++ b/apps/edr-freight-api/src/modules/train-scheduling/train-scheduling.service.ts
@@ -1207,11 +1207,7 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
     const schedule = await this.getImportDjiboutiSchedule(scheduleId);
     const operation = await this.getOrCreateImportDjiboutiOperation(scheduleId);
     this.assertImportDjiboutiGatepassGranted(operation);
-    if (!operation.loadedOnTrainAt && !(await this.hasLoadedBooking(schedule.id))) {
-      throw new BadRequestException(
-        'Import train cannot depart Djibouti before at least one booking is loaded',
-      );
-    }
+    // Loading confirmation does not block departure (see assertImportDjiboutiMayDepart).
 
     if (schedule.status === TrainScheduleStatusEnum.Scheduled) {
       await this.dispatchSchedule(schedule.id);
@@ -1588,26 +1584,9 @@ export class TrainSchedulingService {
       where: { trainScheduleId: schedule.id },
     });
     this.assertImportDjiboutiGatepassGranted(operation);
-    // A train dispatches once loading is confirmed at the train level OR at least
-    // one booking on it is marked LOADED — it never waits for every booking.
-    if (!operation?.loadedOnTrainAt && !(await this.hasLoadedBooking(schedule.id))) {
-      throw new BadRequestException(
-        'Import train cannot depart Djibouti before at least one booking is loaded',
-      );
-    }
-  }
-
-  /** True when at least one booking on the schedule is confirmed LOADED. */
-  private async hasLoadedBooking(scheduleId: string): Promise<boolean> {
-    const [row]: Array<{ loaded: string }> = await this.dataSource.query(
-      `SELECT COUNT(*) AS loaded
-         FROM freight.train_schedule_bookings
-        WHERE train_schedule_id = $1
-          AND loading_status = $2
-          AND deleted_at IS NULL`,
-      [scheduleId, LoadingStatus.Loaded],
-    );
-    return Number(row?.loaded ?? 0) > 0;
+    // Loading confirmation does NOT gate dispatch. Per-booking loading is
+    // tracking only and the loaded-on-train step is optional — a scheduled train
+    // dispatches without waiting on loading.
   }
 
   private async getImportDjiboutiSchedule(scheduleId: string): Promise<TrainSchedule> {