How free time is counted

Day basis: calendar or working

Calendar days include weekends and gazetted public holidays. Working days exclude them. Over an Easter or a Christmas run, the difference between the two bases can be four or five days on the same "7 day" allowance.

A handful of lines extend free time over public holidays even on a calendar basis. When they do, it is stated in the schedule, and it is worth knowing for a dispute.

Clock start: discharge or availability

The count begins either at vessel discharge or when the container is available for collection. If the terminal is congested and your box is not available for two days after discharge, a discharge-based clock has already eaten two of your free days before you could do anything.

Combined pools burn faster

If demurrage and detention share one pool of free days, any delay anywhere, on the wharf or in your yard, draws down the same allowance. Separate pools give you more room but are more to track.