Berth charter
Meaning
A berth charter is one where the ship only becomes an arrived ship once it reaches the berth, so waiting time for a berth is at the owner's risk.
Berth charter explained
If the charter names a berth as the destination and has no WIBON-type clause, laytime can't start until the ship gets there. Any time spent waiting at anchorage is lost to the owner.
Most tanker charters avoid this by allowing NOR at the customary anchorage, but the berth/port distinction still matters when the wording is unclear.
Related terms
Port charter
A port charter is one where the ship becomes an arrived ship on reaching the port's usual waiting area, so berth waiting time falls on the charterer.
Arrived ship
An arrived ship is one that has reached the point named in the charter where it can tender a valid notice of readiness and start the laytime process.
WIBON
WIBON lets the master tender notice of readiness on arrival even if no berth is free, so waiting time for a berth can count as laytime.