demurrage

/di'mʌridʤ/

Thân thiện

The shipping company paid a large demurrage fee for the delayed container.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Detention of a ship, freight car, or cargo beyond its scheduled time of departure: A period of delay where a vessel, railcar, or other cargo-carrying conveyance is held up, typically because loading or unloading is not completed within the allotted free time.
   • A charge required as compensation for such a delay: A financial penalty or fee levied on the party responsible for the delay (e.g., the charterer, shipper, or consignee) to compensate the owner of the transport vehicle for the lost time.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Detention):

  • The port congestion caused three days of demurrage for the container ship.
  • The contract includes five days of free time for unloading before demurrage begins.

• Noun (Charge/Fee):

  • The shipping company invoiced the importer for demurrage due to the late return of the containers.
  • High demurrage charges can significantly increase the cost of shipping goods.

Advanced Usage

• "To incur demurrage": To become liable for demurrage charges.

  • If the cargo is not cleared within 48 hours, the consignee will incur demurrage.

• "Demurrage days": The specific number of days for which demurrage is charged.

  • The calculation is based on the demurrage days beyond the agreed free time.

Variants and Related Words

• Demur (verb): To raise objections or show reluctance. (Note: While "demur" and "demurrage" share a Latin root meaning "to delay," their modern usage is distinct. "Demurrage" is a specific commercial/legal term.)
• Detention (noun): The act of detaining or holding back; a broader term that can include demurrage.
• Despatch (or Dispatch) (noun): The opposite concept; a bonus paid for completing loading/unloading faster than the scheduled time.

Synonyms

• Detention charge: A fee for detaining a transport asset.
• Standing charge: A fee for the time a vehicle is held up (context-specific).

Notes on Meaning

The term is most commonly associated with maritime and rail transport. The core concept always involves delay and a financial consequence for that delay. The first meaning (the period of delay) leads directly to the second meaning (the charge for it). In business contexts, the word almost always refers to the monetary charge.

Học thuật

Noun

1. detention of a ship or freight car or other cargo beyond its scheduled time of departure
2. a charge required as compensation for the delay of a ship or freight car or other cargo beyond its scheduled time of departure