When a vessel docks at a port, it's more than just a routine operation; it's a crucial moment in the global supply chain. Berthing sets the stage for everything that follows, from unloading cargo to ensuring goods are transported on time. Studies reveal that the average berth hours last less than 25 hours, with an average of 22.7 hours.

Understanding how shipping berthing times work can help optimize port operations, reduce congestion, and prevent costly delays. With real-time updates on berthing events, businesses can anticipate potential disruptions and better coordinate shipments for on-time delivery.

What is a Shipping Berth?

A shipping berth is a designated area within a port where vessels are securely moored to carry out various essential operations, like loading and unloading cargo, performing maintenance, or preparing for departure.

Why is Berthing Important in Port Operations?

Berthing is at the heart of port operations, directly impacting efficiency, cost management, and overall supply chain performance.

• Port Congestion Reduction: Efficient berthing reduces vessel waiting times and minimizes port congestion, allowing ships to move in and out quickly.
• Timely Cargo Operations: The faster a vessel is berthed and unloaded, the quicker cargo can be distributed, which keeps the supply chain moving without delays.
• Supply Chain Flow: When managed well, it ensures that goods are delivered on schedule, improving overall supply chain performance.

Top 5 Functions of a Shipping Berth

Shipping berths serve various essential functions that ensure the efficient movement of goods and vessels through ports. Each function plays a significant role in maintaining port operations and facilitating smooth logistics.

1. Cargo Handling

A shipping berth's primary function is to provide space for loading and unloading cargo, which is critical for supply chain efficiency.

• Loading and Unloading: Berths are designed to support the safe and efficient transfer of goods between ships and port facilities. 

Whether it’s containers, bulk goods, or liquid cargo, the berth is where cargo is either loaded onto vessels for export or unloaded for local distribution.

• Equipment Use: Berths are equipped with cranes, forklifts, and other machinery to handle various types of cargo, ensuring swift and safe operations.

2. Docking and Mooring

Securing vessels safely at the dock is another key function of a shipping berth, ensuring stability during operations.

• Vessel Stability: Proper docking and mooring keep vessels stable while loading or unloading. This reduces the risk of accidents or cargo damage and supports the crew's safety.
• Mooring for Various Vessel Sizes: Berths are designed to accommodate vessels from large container ships to smaller passenger ferries, ensuring smooth docking regardless of vessel dimensions.

3. Ship Maintenance

Certain berths are used for routine ship maintenance and inspections, making them essential for keeping vessels operational.

• Routine Checks: Berths offer a safe location for ships to undergo regular maintenance, including checks of the hull, machinery, and cargo holds.
• Dry-Docking: Some berths are equipped for dry-docking, allowing vessels to be lifted out of the water for more extensive maintenance and repairs.

4. Customs and Documentation

A key function of the berth is to serve as the point for customs clearance and documentation processing.

• Customs Inspections: At the berth, customs officers inspect goods, ensuring they comply with import/export regulations and verifying that all necessary paperwork is in order.
• Documentation Handling: The berth is where vital documentation is processed, ensuring that goods are cleared for transport to their next destination.

5. Cargo Storage

Temporary storage space at the berth is often used for goods awaiting further movement, providing a buffer during high-traffic periods.

• Storage for Transit: Cargo may be stored at the berth before being moved to warehouses or transported further inland. This ensures that goods are available when needed and minimizes congestion.

Factors That Affect Berthing Times

Several factors can influence the time it takes to berth a vessel. Understanding these elements helps port operators and logistics teams plan better, optimize port operations, and minimize delays.

1. Vessel Size

Larger vessels require more docking time than smaller ships due to the complexity of maneuvering them into place. The bigger the vessel, the more challenging it becomes to dock it efficiently, which can increase berthing time.

• Docking Complexity: Larger ships need more space and careful positioning to avoid damage to the vessel or dock. The more time required for these maneuvers, the longer the ship will occupy the berth.
• Loading/Unloading Time: Bigger ships also carry more cargo, which can lengthen the loading and unloading process, thus affecting overall berthing time.

2. Port Congestion

When many vessels are waiting to dock simultaneously, port congestion can lead to delays in berthing and extended wait times.

• Competing Vessel Priorities: In busy ports, vessels may need to wait for available space, which increases the time spent in the harbor. This is especially common at ports with high traffic or limited docking spaces.
• Docking Order: Vessels are typically assigned docking slots based on their arrival times or urgency. Delays in the docking order can extend berthing times.

3. Weather and Operational Conditions

Adverse weather conditions can significantly impact berthing times, causing delays in docking and unloading.

• Weather Impact: Strong winds, storms, or high seas can make docking more difficult, requiring additional time for safe maneuvers.
• Safety Protocols: In poor weather conditions, ports may implement additional safety protocols to slow the berthing process.

4. Terminal Efficiency

The efficiency of port operations, including the availability of cranes, personnel, and equipment, directly impacts how quickly a vessel can be berthed.

• Equipment Availability: Delays in cranes or handling equipment availability can slow the docking and unloading process, increasing berthing times.
• Skilled Labor: Skilled personnel are vital in optimizing the time to berth a vessel. A lack of trained staff or high turnover rates can contribute to delays.

Types of Shipping Berths

Not all vessels or their cargo are handled the same way. Different types of shipping berths are designed to meet the specific needs of various ship classes and cargo operations. The right berth type ensures safety, efficiency, and reduced turnaround time.

1. Dock Berths

These are among the most common berth types, where vessels dock alongside a quay or bulkhead parallel to shore.

• Versatile Use: Ideal for general cargo, container ships, and bulk carriers. Dock berths are the workhorses of most commercial ports.
• Direct Shore Access: Crews and port operators can easily access the vessel from land, enabling quicker cargo operation and inspection setup.

2. Quay Berths

A quay is a continuous structure running along the port’s edge. It allows multiple vessels to berth in a linear configuration.

• Multi-Vessel Operations: Quay berths are designed for volume and can handle several vessels simultaneously, which helps reduce port congestion during peak times.
• Streamlined Cargo Handling: These berths improve cargo flow across high-traffic terminals by providing shared access to cranes, truck lanes, and storage facilities.

3. Mooring Berths

Located offshore, mooring berths accommodate vessels that can’t dock directly at the quay due to draft, size, or port constraints.

• Deeper Water Access: These berths are often used for very large ships or in ports with limited shoreline infrastructure.
• Support by Lighters or Barges: Cargo is transferred via smaller shuttle vessels, requiring coordinated effort but offering flexibility when port access is restricted.

4. Bulk Berths

Purpose-built to handle large quantities of unpackaged materials like grain, coal, cement, and liquids.

• Specialized Infrastructure: Equipment like pneumatic pumps, hoppers, and conveyor systems is tailored to the material being loaded or unloaded.
• Safety-Focused Design: Handling flammable or hazardous materials requires strict protocols, including spill prevention systems and ventilation controls.

5. Container Berths

These berths are designed for the fast-paced movement of containerized cargo, making them central to global shipping networks.

• High-Efficiency Layout: Equipped with ship-to-shore gantry cranes, automated stacking yards, and digital systems to coordinate movement.
• Built for Speed and Scale: Container berths maximize vessel turnaround time by being designed to handle thousands of TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) quickly.

Choosing the correct type of berth based on cargo, vessel size, and port layout directly impacts speed, safety, and operational flow.

How Vizion Supports Berthing Visibility and Timing

Accurate, timely berthing data is essential for port operations, cargo planning, and coordination across supply chain teams. Vizion’s solutions are built to deliver exactly that: clear, real-time insight into container and vessel movements that influence berthing performance.

Real-Time Event Tracking

Vizion captures and pushes container and vessel event data, including when a vessel arrives, begins discharge, and departs, to ERPs, TMSs, and spreadsheets.

• Know when a vessel has reached berth or is delayed, without relying on fragmented updates.
• Use this data to prepare internal teams and drayage partners for the next steps.

Port and Terminal Connections

Direct integration with 60+ ports and terminals allows Vizion to surface key port milestones, giving teams clarity around how berths are performing.

• Track dwell times and operational slowdowns tied to berthing availability.
• Receive alerts when containers are available for pickup after berth-side unloading.

ETA Monitoring for Berthing Prep

Vizion provides accurate Estimated Time of Arrival updates using AIS data and port geofencing.

• It helps logistics teams anticipate when a vessel will reach the port and when berthing activity will likely begin.
• Supports more coordinated scheduling with terminals and local carriers.

Operational Planning at the Berth Level

By combining terminal events, AIS tracking, and vessel movement insights, Vizion helps organizations better plan around vessel berthing without relying solely on carrier communications.

• Spot early signs of delays or congestion.
• Reduce the risk of demurrage with timely handoffs post-berth.

With more accurate data on vessel activity and port milestones, Vizion helps streamline berthing-related decisions from planning to handoff.

Conclusion

Berthing is a critical link between vessel arrival and cargo movement, directly influencing port efficiency and delivery timelines. Delays or gaps in berthing visibility can ripple through the supply chain. 

Vizion helps solve this by delivering real-time vessel events, accurate ETAs, and direct port data, so your team stays informed and ready at every stage.

Book a demo to see how Vizion can streamline your port-side operations and give your logistics team the visibility they need to act fast and avoid costly disruptions.