Logistics terms · Logistics terms

What does Demurrage mean in logistics?

Short answer

A charge for holding carrier-owned or terminal space beyond the free time allowed. In shipping it usually applies to containers left inside a port terminal or CFS; on railways, to wagons held beyond the free loading or unloading time.

Indian trucking often uses "demurrage" loosely for truck detention. In container trade, shipping lines charge detention for containers kept outside the terminal and terminals charge ground rent or demurrage inside it, so read each tariff separately. Ask our desk how this applies to your consignment.

Period: General definition. Data as of 29 Sep 2026. How we count

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The numbers behind this answer

Category
Contracts & pricing
Related terms
Detention, Detention charges, Dwell time, Rail rake

Sources

  1. SSL logistics glossary

Period: General definition. Data as of 29 Sep 2026.

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