论集装箱超期使用费的法律性质

On the Nature of Container Demurrage

集装箱超期使用费是在超过承运人规定的免费使用期以后按天计算的用箱费用。集装箱超期使用费的性质应该根据当事人合同的约定来认定,当事人明确约定集装箱超期使用费为违约金的,其性质为违约金;当事人未约定或约定不明确的应认定其为集装箱租金。

Container demurrage is the container cost calculated day by day beyond free time regulated by the carrier. Nature of container demurrage should be determined according to the agreement between the parties concerned. If the parties concerned expressly agreed demurrage of containers as the penalty due to breach of contract, then its nature is penalty due to breach of contract, If the parties have not agreed or explicitly agreed, that should be identified as the rent of container.