Demurrage & Detention Morocco: 2026 Guide
Don't let your containers cost you a fortune anymore. Understand demurrage, detention, and storage, and learn how to avoid these penalties in Morocco.
Equipe Casa Horizon
Transitaire agréé
Sommaire
Financial Emergency
Time is money... and a fiscal ticking time bomb. In 2026, demurrage can represent 30% of logistics costs. This guide gives you the secrets to defuse these penalties.
Imagine your container arriving at the port of Casablanca. The moment it touches the quay, an invisible timer starts. If you don't release this container within the "Free Time", every extra day is billed in dollars.
🏗️ 1. Definitions: Demurrage, Detention, and Storage
To avoid paying, you must understand the distinctions:
Demurrage
Paid to the shipping line. Covers container usage inside the port.
Detention
Paid to the shipping line. Applies outside the port (at your place) until return of empty.
Storage
Paid to the Port (Marsa Maroc). It's rent for the ground space.
⏳ 2. The "Free Time"
This is your grace period. Standard in Morocco: 7 days. But beware, the count includes weekends!
Casa Horizon Insight
We negotiate 14 to 21 days of free time for our clients. These extra days are your life insurance.
📉 3. Cost Calculation
It is exponential. Typical example:
- Days 1-7: Free
- Days 8-12: 40 USD/day
- Days 13-20: 80 USD/day
- Days 21+: 120 USD/day
🛡️ 5. Prevention Strategies
- Negotiate at origin: Ask for 14 days "Combined Free Time".
- Pre-Clearing: Start the DUM upon vessel departure via PortNet.
- MEAD Transfer: Move container to a MEAD to stop port demurrage.
Questions Fréquemment Posées
Does a strike suspend demurrage?
Difference Combined vs Split?
Sources & Références
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