The cycle in order
- Discharge from the vessel — the free-time clock begins.
- Terminal positioning and stacking.
- Documentation lodgement and customs processing.
- Examination where the consignment is selected.
- Terminal and shipping-line charge settlement.
- Release issued and confirmed.
- Gate-out — demurrage ends, detention begins.
- Trucking to the delivery point.
- Delivery, offloading and container release by the receiver.
- Return of the empty unit to an accepting depot.
- Equipment Interchange Receipt issued — detention ends.
Where the two clocks overlap
Many consignees treat the operation as one process with one deadline. It is two processes with two clocks, and they are charged by different parties under different terms.
A container that clears quickly and then sits at a site with no offloading capability has simply moved the cost from one line of the invoice to another.
The return leg is planned last and costs most
Empty return is routinely the least-planned stage. Depot acceptance windows, container condition and equipment availability all affect whether the unit can actually be returned when the receiver is finished with it.
Identify the return depot and its acceptance conditions at the same time as the delivery — not on the day the truck is loaded.
Container-cycle control checklist
- discharge date recorded per container
- free-time terms and Last Free Day recorded per container
- documentation lodged and status tracked
- examination status monitored where applicable
- terminal and line charges anticipated and settled
- release confirmed in writing before trucking is committed
- gate-out recorded — detention clock start noted
- delivery site capability and receiving hours confirmed
- offloading turnaround estimated realistically
- return depot and acceptance window identified in advance
- container condition photographed at delivery and at return
- Equipment Interchange Receipt obtained and filed
Where delay usually develops
- release assumed rather than confirmed
- delivery site unable to offload promptly
- depot acceptance windows missed
- container condition disputes at return
- equipment or trucking unavailable on the planned day
What the principal should prepare
- container numbers and bill of lading
- free-time terms per carrier
- delivery site details and offloading capability
- authority to settle charges
What Vandyvah can coordinate
- the full cycle from discharge monitoring to Equipment Interchange Receipt
- release and terminal coordination
- trucking and delivery coordination
- empty return and depot coordination
- condition documentation and exception escalation