In Middle Eastern ports, predominantly privately-operated and significantly impacted by holidays, demurrage fees often become hidden costs for exporting companies. Avoiding this risk requires management throughout the entire logistics process, with the core lying in accurate forecasting and proactive control to reduce the possibility of cargo detention at the root.
Pre-planning is fundamental. Prioritize efficient hub ports like Jebel Ali Port in Dubai and avoid congested ports like Dammam. When booking, clarify a "demurrage cap" clause with the shipping company. Considering periods like Ramadan, reserve 14-21 days of free detention period, building in a 3-5 day buffer compared to routine. Simultaneously, liaise with local agents in advance to confirm the latest 2025 policies and ensure certifications like SABER are complete before the cargo arrives at the port, avoiding clearance delays due to compliance issues.
Process control is crucial. After shipment, use logistics platforms to track the vessel schedule in real-time and monitor port congestion alerts. If a delay is anticipated, immediately apply for a reduction or waiver of demurrage fees. 48 hours before port arrival, synchronize documents like the Bill of Lading and Packing List with the customs broker for pre-clearance review. For ports with specific requirements, like Jeddah Port in Saudi Arabia, complete palletized packaging as required and clearly mark the country of origin in advance to reduce inspection time.
Emergency response must be decisive. If demurrage is triggered, promptly coordinate with the shipping agent to negotiate a discount with the port. If clearance seems impossible short-term, consider transshipping to nearby less congested ports for temporary storage. Long-term strategies like partnering with local overseas warehouses in the Middle East for "warehousing before clearance" or adopting land-air-sea combined transport to bypass port bottlenecks are effective ways to mitigate demurrage risks
Ontask Express focuses on the Saudi special line, providing customers with efficient and reliable Saudi cargo, with a focus on the Middle East region. With overseas warehouses in Jeddah and Riyadh, along with a self-managed Chinese delivery team, we empower Chinese products to go global and benefit all humanity!