Both ends

Both ends, written ‘b/e’ in a fixture, means a stated laytime, demurrage, or other term applies at both the loading port and the discharging port. ‘Six weather working days both ends’ allocates six days at each end, not six across the voyage. It is distinct from reversible laytime, where the allowances at the two ends are pooled into one figure and any time saved at one port offsets time lost at the other. Both ends keeps the two laytime accounts separate, so demurrage at the load port cannot be cancelled by despatch earned at discharge.