GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
berth
When a vessel arrives at port, it is assigned a berth – a designated, numbered position alongside a quay or pier where loading, discharge, bunkering, or maintenance takes place.
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Source: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Liegeplatz
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Definition & Explanation
When a vessel arrives at port, it is assigned a berth – a designated, numbered position alongside a quay or pier where loading, discharge, bunkering, or maintenance takes place. Beyond the physical mooring space, a berth comes with allocated infrastructure: cranes, storage areas, mooring fittings, and utility connections. Port authorities allocate berths based on vessel dimensions, cargo type, and scheduled arrival windows. Charges accrue on an hourly or daily basis; exceeding the agreed time slot triggers demurrage costs borne by the shipowner or charterer. Not to be confused with a roadstead anchorage, where vessels wait offshore without being formally assigned a quay position.
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