Demurrage vs Detention.
Demurrage vs Detention: These are two terms that often confuse people in global trade, shipping, freight, and logistics. This has also led to several financial losses due to companies not knowing how to navigate the two different terms properly. Within the container shipping world, DEMURRAGE relates to cargo (while the cargo is in the container), while DETENTION relates to equipment (while the container is empty after unpacking or before packing).
We simplify it for you….
IMPORTS
To best understand how demurrage and detention work, let’s start with this hypothetical example.
A container is discharged off a ship on the 5th of January: The consignee approaches the shipping line to take delivery of the cargo around the 15th of January. Working off a standard seven free days from the date of discharge, the line-free days (different from port-free days) expire on the 8th of January. Due to this, the line will charge the consignee DEMURRAGE for four days from the 9th to the 11th of January at the rate fixed by the line, which will vary between different ports/deport.
After the client has picked up the full container, for example, if they take another seven days to return the empty container, then it is known as DETENTION which again will be charged at the rate fixed by the line.
Basically, before the full container is picked up, Demurrage is charged (after the expiry of free days), and after the container has been picked up until the empty is returned to the lines nominated port/depot, Detention is charged.
EXPORTS
In the case of exports, typically, most lines give about five free days within which the shipper has to pick up the empty, pack it and return it full to the port/deport. In case of delays of more than five days, the line charges Detention (generally the same tariff as import detention) for the days that the empty is kept with the client as empty or full.
Once the container is packed, for example, if the shipper is unable to ship the same due to any reason, then the Demurrage will be charged at the rate fixed by the line till the full container is shipped out.
While the above is the generic and most common form of use for these two terms, there can be a difference in the usage of these terms by various shipping lines in different countries. For example, some countries call it combined demurrage/detention, whereas it is shown separately in some countries. In some other countries, like Saudi Arabia and Japan, the term demurrage seems to be used to denote storage in the port/lines terminal.
ABOUT WILLFREIGHT EXPRESS CARGO SERVICES
Does all of the above sound a bit worrying? Thankfully, Willfreight Express Cargo Services has got you covered. At Willfreight Express Cargo Services, we have unprecedented experience in importing, exporting, and freight forwarding.
