Demurrage

Demurrage is equipment remaining on a port or terminal facility beyond an agreed period of time. When equipment is incurring demurrage, the equipment is in the Carrier’s possession.

Calculating Demurrage Free-Time

Free time commences on the first 08:00 on the first business day following discharge of the container at an ocean terminal, or arrival of a container at an inland container yard or rail ramp. If a container discharges prior to 08:00 on a business day, the free time will begin that day.  If a container discharges after 08:00, free time begins 08:00 the next business day.

Business days are defined as Monday – Friday, excluding Carrier recognized holidays at ocean terminals, inland container yard or rail ramp.

At rail ramp locations, all storage is settled directly with the rail provider according to the ramps terms and conditions.

Seaboard Marine will grant three (3) additional calendar days for Government holds.

Detention

Detention is equipment detained beyond an agreed period of time outside of Carrier’s terminal and in the possession of the shipper.  When equipment is incurring detention, the equipment is not in the Carrier’s possession.

Calculating Detention Free-Time

Free time for Carrier’s equipment commences on the day after equipment departs from Carrier’s container yard or terminal.

Business days are defined as Monday – Friday, excluding Carrier recognized holidays at ocean terminals, inland container yard or rail ramp.

Demurrage & Detention Free Time by Port

The below table provides the standard Free Time allowed at each United States port. Please select whether the shipment is an Export or an Import then select the Port of Import or Export to view the Free Time allowed at the specific location.

Port Storage

Port Storage [also known as terminal storage, port demurrage or demurrage] is equipment remaining on a port or terminal facility beyond an agreed period of time and charged by the port or terminal operator (not the Carrier).  These charges are paid to the port (terminal) by the shipper or indirectly by the carrier but the charges are not covered under the equipment demurrage & free time rules unless explicitly noted in the general tariff rules.

Demurrage & Detention Charges

Charges are applied per calendar day regardless of holidays. Exceptions will be granted for Carrier declared force majeure conditions.

Charges for detention following free time shall continue until the equipment is returned to the original pick-up location unless otherwise agreed, in writing, by Seaboard Marine. Please also see Equipment Pick-up for all Carrier Haulage services designated as a Drop & Pick.

Demurrage charges shall be invoiced to the US customer of record (Shipper on US exports or Consignee on US imports). For any shipments that have an inland under Merchant Haulage, Seaboard Marine will invoice detention charges to the Merchants’ designated motor carrier under the terms of the UIIA interchange agreement (www.UIIA.org).

Equipment Charge
Dry Container $110.00 per day or fraction thereof
Dry Container with Chassis $135.00 per day or fraction thereof
Refrigerated (Temperature Controlled) Container $250.00 per day or fraction thereof
Refrigerated (Temperature Controlled) Container with Chassis $275.00 per day or fraction thereof
Flatrack, Open Top or Tank Equipment $250.00 per day or fraction thereof
Flatrack, Open Top or Tank Equipment with Chassis $275.00 per day or fraction thereof
Bare Chassis $25.00 per day or fraction thereof
Lowboy or Other Specialized Trailer $250.00 per day or fraction thereof
Power Unit i.e. Clip On Power Unit or Gen-set Power Unit Included within the refrigerated container charge if provided

How To Avoid Demurrage & Detention Charges

  1. Ensure that your Customs Broker provides US Customs clearance documentation within the designated free time.
  2. Ensure that you obtain Carrier Release (payment) prior to the last free day.
  3. Provide timely notification of delivery instructions prior to the last free day.
  4. Ensure that your warehouse can accept delivery before the last free day.
  5. For export cargo, monitor the free days provided to load your shipment and return the equipment within the free time terms.
  6. If Seaboard Marine has arranged the inland services based on Drop & Pick terms, ensure that you register the availability to for Seaboard Marine to pick up the equipment at the load facility using our Equipment Pick-Up registration at https://www.seaboardmarine.com/cp/EquipmentPickUp. Register the pick-up before the last free day.
  7. Delivery your shipments to the terminal within the free time terms.

Demurrage & Detention Disputes

Demurrage and Detention disputes for U.S. shipments can be raised through our website.

When registering a dispute, the following information is required:

    • Booking or Bill of Lading number
    • Demurrage or Detention invoice number, if the charge is not part of the Bill of Lading charges.
    • Container number(s)
    • Detailed description of the dispute including the applicable service contract number if pertinent to the claim.
    • Point of contact for further discussion regarding the dispute including telephone number and e-mail address.
    • For disputes involving a change of paying party, written confirmation from the party who will pay is needed.

Disputes must be submitted to Seaboard Marine within 30 days of the invoice date. We will acknowledge receipt of your dispute within 5 business days of receipt.  If all of the required information is provided we will provide a resolution of our findings within 60 days from the date of receipt of the complete information.

Dispute