Berth hire charges form part of the port-related dues claimed by the port authorities, which relate to the fees charged to a shipping line towards hiring of the berths for cargo unloading and loading operations at a port. Berth hire is charged in ports varies and it sometimes done on per hour / per shift / per day or ( or part of a day) basis on the GT of the vessel. The discharge rates are calculated on the basis of number of berths engaged by a shipping line and the duration of a berth hire in terms of berth days or hours.