ETA

ETA, estimated time of arrival, is the forecast clock time at which a ship will reach a defined point, usually the pilot station, the berth, or a reporting line. It is computed from current position, distance to go, planned speed, and expected weather and current, and is revised through the voyage. ETA drives port call planning: pilot and tug booking, berth allocation, cargo gang ordering, and the tidal window for draft-restricted ports. It is reported in the ship’s noon report and in AIS voyage data, and charter parties tie notice-of-readiness and laytime to arrival, so an inaccurate ETA carries commercial cost.