Whether in port or not

Whether in port or not, abbreviated WIPON, is a charter clause that lets the master tender a valid notice of readiness once the vessel has arrived within the port limits, even if she has not reached the berth or the usual waiting place. It is one of the laytime-trigger family with WIBON (whether in berth or not), WICCON (whether customs cleared or not), and WIFPON (whether in free pratique or not). WIPON shifts the risk of port congestion to the charterer by letting laytime start while the vessel waits, rather than only on berthing. It matters most at a berth charter, where without such a clause time would not run until the vessel was in berth.