Legal Definitions - dockage

Dockage refers to a fee charged for the temporary use of a pier, wharf, or other docking facility by a vessel. This charge compensates the owner of the facility for providing a secure place for a ship or boat to moor, load or unload cargo, embark or disembark passengers, or undergo maintenance and repairs.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of dockage:

• Example 1: Commercial Vessel Undergoing Repairs

  A large commercial fishing trawler experiences a significant engine malfunction and needs to be moored at a shipyard's dock for extensive repairs. The repairs are expected to take several weeks, during which the trawler occupies a specific section of the dock. The shipyard charges the trawler's owner a daily or weekly fee for the use of that dock space while the vessel is out of commission and being serviced.

  This fee is an example of dockage, as it is a charge for the prolonged use of the dock facility by the vessel during its repair period.

• Example 2: Recreational Boat at a Marina

  A family sailing their yacht along the coast decides to stop at a popular resort town for a weekend getaway. They contact the local marina and arrange to moor their yacht at an available slip for three nights. The marina provides a secure berth, access to utilities, and a safe place to tie up their vessel.

  The nightly fee the family pays to the marina for the privilege of keeping their yacht tied to the dock and occupying that specific berth is considered dockage.

• Example 3: Cargo Ship During Loading Operations

  A container ship arrives at a busy port to unload thousands of containers and then load new ones. The port authority assigns the ship to a specific terminal dock for 48 hours to facilitate these operations. During this time, cranes are used to move cargo on and off the vessel, and port personnel manage the logistics.

  The charge levied by the port authority against the shipping company for the use of that designated dock space during the entire loading and unloading process is dockage. It covers the cost of the vessel occupying the valuable waterfront infrastructure.