Demurrage and detention calculator
Estimate demurrage or detention for one or more containers. Enter the start and end dates, the free days you were given and the daily rates for each tier, and see the last free day, the chargeable days and the total.
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The formula, in plain terms.
- Counted days = days from the start date to the end date (calendar days, or working days only)
- Chargeable days = counted days − free days
- Charge = days in each tier × that tier's daily rate, summed across tiers
- Total = charge per container × number of containers
A container discharged on Monday 5 January and picked up on Wednesday 14 January, counting the first day, is 10 calendar days. With 3 free days, 7 are chargeable. With tiers of 3 days at 135 and then 220 per day, the charge is 3 × 135 + 4 × 220 = 1,285. The last free day is 7 January.
Assumptions and limits
- Lines and terminals count days differently: some start the clock the day after discharge, some skip weekends and holidays. Choose the option that matches your tariff.
- Public holidays are not excluded automatically; add them to the free days if your tariff skips them.
- Enter the rates from your carrier or terminal tariff. The default values are examples only.
- Demurrage (container at the port) and detention (container outside the port) are usually charged on separate clocks. Run the calculator once for each.
Common questions
What is the difference between demurrage and detention?
Demurrage is charged when a container stays in the port or terminal beyond its free time. Detention is charged when the carrier's container or chassis is kept outside the port beyond its free time.
How are free days counted?
It depends on the tariff: some count the day of discharge as day one, some start the next day, and some exclude weekends and holidays. This calculator lets you choose.
What are tiered demurrage rates?
Many tariffs charge a lower daily rate for the first few chargeable days and a higher rate after that. Enter each tier's number of days and rate to reflect it.
How can I avoid demurrage and detention?
Track free time from the day of discharge, book pickup and return early, and act before the last free day. Systems that track the clock per container make this routine.
Track the clock on every container.
Intelicargo accrues tiered demurrage and detention per container and flags free time that is about to expire.