Place in a port alongside a quay where a ship loads (loading berth) or discharges
(discharging berth) cargo or, in the case of a lay- by berth, waits
until a loading or discharging berth is available. This term is also frequently
used to signify a place alongside a quay, each of which is capable of accommodating
only one ship at a time.
Requirement of all voyage charters that the ship must have arrived before
notice of readiness can be given and hence laytime can commence. Where a
berth or dock has been nominated by the charterer, the ship must have arrived
at that berth or dock. When a port is nominated, the ship must have arrived
at the port, although various legal decisions have defined a port differently in
this context in cases where there is no berth available and the ship is obliged
to wait.