Commercial tankers usually wait about 1 to 2 days at port , but the exact time varies a lot by terminal, cargo, and congestion. A good rule of thumb from U.S. tanker port data is an average dwell time of about 41 hours.

Typical wait times

  • Crude or large tankers: often 36 to 48 hours.
  • Product tankers: often 24 to 36 hours.
  • Average tanker dwell time at major U.S. ports: about 41 hours.
  • If a ship is waiting at anchorage before berth: tanker waiting can be more than 19 hours on average in some ports, and more in congested periods.

Why it changes

Several factors affect how long a tanker waits:

  • Port congestion.
  • Whether the vessel is loading or discharging.
  • Pumping speed and hose setup.
  • Tide, weather, and terminal scheduling.
  • Customs, pilot availability, and berth priority.

A practical takeaway

For a quick mental estimate, think “around a day and a half” for many commercial tankers, with shorter calls at efficient terminals and much longer waits during congestion.

TL;DR

Commercial tankers commonly wait about 24 to 48 hours , and a widely cited average is around 41 hours.