Demurrage

Demurrage is, in container shipping, a charge commonly associated with a container remaining inside a terminal beyond the agreed free time.

Published by AllwayforwardUpdated 18 Oct 2026

Understand it in practice

This timeline concerns the container inside the terminal. Check the local free-time definition; some contracts combine demurrage and detention.

Where it fits in the journey

Highlighted stages are commonly relevant

01Agree
02Prepare
03Transport — commonly relevant
04Clear
05Deliver

THE PICTURE, IN WORDS

Demurrage at a glance

Container in terminal
Free period ends
Applicable terminal time

THE DETAIL THAT MATTERS

How is demurrage different from detention?

Some carriers combine demurrage and detention or apply local definitions. Read the booking's free-time terms and terminal rules.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE

The container is still inside the terminal

The terminal advises that the last free day is Friday. If the container remains there after the applicable free period, charges may begin under the local tariff. Confirm whether weekends count and whether carrier and terminal charges are separate.

Three clocks, three different charges

Charge	Usual location or object	Confirm
Demurrage	Container inside terminal	Terminal or carrier free time
Detention	Carrier equipment outside terminal	Empty-return deadline
Storage	Cargo or equipment at a facility	Facility tariff and free period

Hand-drawn port scene with a container ship, containers and cargo handling. — Ocean freight in context · original educational illustration, not a photograph of a shipment.

Before you book

For ocean freight, have these details ready:

Cargo volume and packed weight
Origin and destination charge breakdown
Sailing, cut-offs and equipment free time

Explore ocean freight support

Sources & further reading

Plain-language educational guidance. The applicable contract, carrier tariff, official rules or insurance policy takes precedence. Illustrations show concepts, not a specific shipment or facility.

Published by Allwayforward as a plain-language freight reference. Examples are illustrative, not customer case studies. For a correction, send the term and supporting source.