Connecting the Kingdom of Bahrain to the world
MSC has been helping customers to ship cargo to and from the Kingdom of Bahrain for more than two decades. We offer reliable and efficient shipping services and provide Tailor-made solutions to a lot of business areas and industries.
Detention, Demurrage and Port Storage
What is Demurrage and Detention?
Demurrage and detention are charges applicable, after the free time expires from the date of discharge of the container till the empty is returned to carriers facility .Gate pass is issued with valid date for client to pick the cargo from terminal .Customer cannot pick the container with an expired Gate Pass .To extend the validity it is mandatory for client to settle demurrage and validate GP till the date client wishes to clear and return the empty.
For demurrage and related charges or dispute or any inquiries related to free time please contact us on: bh322-mscbahrain@msc.com
What is Port Storage?
Port storage charges are applicable, after the free time expiry, for the use of the carrier’s container (full or empty) inside the marine terminal. (Discharge from vessel till gate out from terminal).
Such charges are payable by consignee directly with terminal and MSC as a carrier is not involved.
What is Detention?
Detention charge is applicable, after the free time expires from the date of empty release till laden unit is delivered to marine terminals cy facility.
Detention and related charges or disputes or inquiries about the free time please reach out for us on: bh322-mscbahrain@msc.com
SOLAS VGM Information
What is VGM?
Verified Gross Mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.
What are the Bahraini Government Requirement?
- Name of authority in charge for the country - PORT MARITIME AUTHORITY
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Tolerance level is 999 KGs, fines / penalties are to be detailed on a case-by-care base
- No containers will be loaded without the VGM
What to include in your VGM instructions?
Mandatory Information and documents:
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Booking or Bill of Lading number
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Container number
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VGM and Unit
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Authorized person’s signatory (submitter of the VGM who may be authorized to act on behalf of shippers)
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Responsible party Name
How to submit your VGM instructions?
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Fax, emails
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Standard shipping instruction signed.
Deadlines for sending your VGM instructions
Since Terminal is the only approved VGM provider, the VGM cut-off date will the same vessel cut-off.(24 hours prior to vessel ETA).
Admin Fees and Costs
Extra costs for failing to timely provide VGM as per carrier’s VGM cut-off and country’s guidelines will be for Shipper account.
Contact information
Please contact the Customer Desk services on this telephone: +973 17514521
Prohibited cargo
It is illegal to bring the following items into or out of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Imports
- Illegal drugs
- Weapons, explosives and ammunition
- Knives and deadly weapons
- Plant and plant products
- Animal and animal products
- Live swine
- Cats, dogs and other animals without a valid permit
- Indian Pan and derivatives
- Advertisement material for all types of cigarettes
- Children’s toy guns capable of firing projectiles
- Printed publications, photographs, pictures, books, magazines, sculptures and mannequins which contradict Islamic teachings, decency, or
- immorality
- Raw Ivory, Ivory articles and Rhinoceros Horn
- Counterfeit money and goods
- Pornographic material
- Though the above items are the only ones prohibited, there are a number of goods that are heavily restricted. For more information, see the links below.
Exports - Arms and ammunition
- Military equipment
- Designated explosive substances
- Strategic goods (e.g. encryption technology for communications equipment)
- Dual-use goods, i.e. commodities which may be used for military and civil purposes alike (including software and technologies)
- Goods which could be used for torture, capital punishment or similarly inhuman treatment
- For full details of prohibited cargo in Bahrain please visit the following sites:
View the full list of prohibited and restricted goods.
Find information on procedures and formalities.
List of terminals
MSC operates services from Al Hidd (BHKBS) – Khalifa Bin Salman Port with local teams in Port location and office to support our customers.