Why Freight Forwarders Can’t Afford to Ignore Demurrage in 2025
Trade Wars and Time Bombs
The global logistics industry is no stranger to disruption. From pandemics to port strikes, volatility is part of the game. But as 2025 unfolds, a new chapter in the US-China trade war has added fuel to the fire, creating widespread port congestion and unpredictable customs delays across major global lanes.
For freight forwarders, this isn’t just a headline—it’s a direct hit to the bottom line. While politicians trade policies and tariffs, containers sit idle at terminals. Every day they wait, demurrage and detention charges rack up, quietly draining profits and sabotaging operational efficiency.
So what’s the answer? Control what you can.
And in this case, that means controlling your exposure to demurrage.
The Hidden Cost of Port Delays
Let’s get real: demurrage isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a silent killer for freight businesses.
Many forwarders still rely on spreadsheets or manual systems to track container movements and deadlines. But in today’s climate, that’s a recipe for disaster. One overlooked return date. One missed notification. One delay at a congested port… and suddenly you’re staring down thousands in unplanned charges.
Here’s the kicker:
📉 Demurrage fees can average $75–$150 per container, per day
📦 Multiply that by a few dozen containers
🧨 And you’ve got an operational time bomb
With new waves of US tariffs leading to retaliatory slowdowns from overseas ports, containers are sitting longer than ever. And that makes accurate tracking and proactive management a competitive advantage—not just a nice-to-have.
CocoonDEM: Your Line of Defense
Enter CocoonDEM—our powerful, cloud-based Demurrage & Detention Calculator, built for freight forwarders who are done playing defense with their margins.
CocoonDEM gives you real-time visibility into your container timelines, helping you avoid charges before they appear on an invoice.
✅ See which containers are close to incurring charges
✅ Monitor free time across multiple shipping lines
✅ Get automated alerts to take action quickly
✅ Make smarter planning decisions with clear data
✅ Centralize all your demurrage reporting in one place
With intuitive dashboards and a user-friendly interface, CocoonDEM makes it simple for freight teams to manage complex container movements without relying on manual methods.
Why Now? Why CocoonDEM?
If you’re thinking, “We’ve survived demurrage so far, what’s the rush?”—consider this:
🛑 You can’t control geopolitical events.
📈 You can control your operational costs.
Trade friction is expected to intensify over the next 12 months, especially between the US and key trading partners like China, the EU, and even Mexico. That means customs backlogs, extended inspections, and slower turnaround times at ports.
And where there’s friction, there’s failure—for those unprepared.
CocoonDEM lets you stay ahead. No more reacting to a late invoice. No more blame games with carriers. Just clear, actionable visibility into your most time-sensitive assets.
Real Impact, Real Results
The Bottom Line
In an industry where timing is everything, demurrage charges are a tax on inefficiency. And with global instability mounting, those inefficiencies are only becoming more expensive.
CocoonDEM helps you take back control—not just of your container timelines, but of your margins, your planning, and your sanity.
Don’t let the trade war win.
Take the proactive path today.