Africa Port Demurrage and Storage Cost Calculator
Containers that sit at port beyond free time cost money every day, and the rate usually steps up. This calculator turns the tariff into a running cost so a logistics manager can show the plant what a delayed clearance really costs.
Your numbers
Your results
Tariffs differ by shipping line, terminal and country. Enter the rates from your own tariff or the demurrage notice.
Total delay cost vs days at port
Sweeps Days from discharge to gate-out from 0 to 60, holding your other inputs fixed.
Inbound container tracker
Optional: an ERP report that warns before free time ends.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use it
Enter the number of containers, the days from discharge to gate-out and the free days on your bill of lading and terminal tariff. Add the first and second tier rates and the port storage rate. The result shows the demurrage, the storage and the cost of one more day at the current point.
The method
Excess days equal total days minus free days. The first tier covers a fixed number of days at the lower rate, and any remaining days run at the higher rate. Storage is calculated separately, with its own free period. Detention for empties returned late can be modelled by running the tool again with the detention tariff.
Reading the result
The chart is flat during free time, then climbs, then steepens when the second tier starts. That kink shows the day by which you should have escalated a missing document or inspection hold. In the default case, 18 days with 4 containers costs well into five figures, which is often more than the cost of an express clearing fee.
Common mistakes
Teams count calendar days when the tariff counts working days, or miss that free days for demurrage and storage are different. Check whether the clock starts at discharge or at vessel arrival. In the ERP, log the container events so you can review delays by supplier, forwarder and port.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between demurrage and detention?
Demurrage is the charge for a container staying inside the terminal beyond free time. Detention is the charge for keeping the carrier's container outside the terminal beyond the agreed period, typically after gate-out.
Why do rates step up?
Shipping lines use escalating tariffs to discourage long dwell. The first period is cheaper and later days cost more, so delays become rapidly more expensive. Read the rate table in your line's local tariff.
Can free days be negotiated?
Often yes, especially for regular shippers or large volumes. Ask your forwarder to request extended free time at booking, and get the terms in writing, because it is much harder to negotiate once charges are running.
Does this include terminal handling?
No. Terminal handling, documentation, scanning and examination fees are separate and vary by port. Add them to your clearing budget alongside this delay cost.
If you track inbound containers in an ERP, we can build a report that flags shipments approaching the end of free time.
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