ETB
Estimated Time of Berthing
ETB is the date and time when a ship is expected to come alongside the berth (the place in the port where it is loaded or unloaded).
In plain words
A ship can arrive at a port but still wait outside, at anchor, until a berth is free. So the ETA (arrival) and the ETB (berthing) are not always the same. In a busy port, the gap can be hours or days.
Loading and unloading start only after berthing. That is why terminals often set the cut-off times for export containers based on the ETB. If the ETB changes, the cut-off may change too.
Example from real shipping
A ship reaches the anchorage near the port on Monday (ETA). The terminal is busy, so the ETB is Wednesday morning. The importer knows the container will be unloaded on Wednesday at the earliest, and books the truck for Thursday.
Related terms
- ETAETA is the date and time when a ship, truck, or plane is expected to arrive. It is an estimate, so it can change.
- Cut-offA cut-off is the last date and time to deliver cargo, documents, or information to the carrier for a planned departure.
- Container shipA container ship is a cargo ship built to carry standard containers, stacked in its holds and on its deck.
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Request a QuoteThis glossary is general information, not legal or customs advice. Rules, fees, and practice can differ by carrier, port, and country.