Safe berth. This is a description of the specific place the Charterer can send the ship for loading and/or discharging.
It is commonly abbreviated to “S.B.” for example, a fixture may be for the ship to load at “1/2 s.b. 1 safe port . . .”. A safe berth is a berth that the ship can reach, remain at and depart from without being exposed to danger, which cannot be avoided, by good navigation and seamanship. Some abnormal, unforeseeable occurrence may remove any liability for the charterer if the vessel is harmed. Otherwise the Charterer is responsible to order the ship to a safe berth.
