PDA in shipping means proforma disbursement account: the port agent’s estimate of every cost a ship will incur during a port call. The shipowner or charterer pays the PDA in advance, and the agent settles the real bills from that money.
This guide explains what a PDA contains, who prepares and pays it, and how to check one. It also compares the PDA with the final disbursement account (FDA). It also covers the Indian container-rail meaning of “shipper PDA” and “liner PDA”.
What Does PDA Mean in Shipping?
PDA stands for proforma disbursement account, often called a port disbursement account. It is an itemised estimate of port costs that the agent sends before the ship arrives. Disbursements are the payments the agent makes on the principal’s behalf.
The same document is sometimes called an estimated disbursement account (EDA). When it is sent through an online platform it is often called an ePDA.
Is a PDA a Bank Account?
No. Despite the name, a PDA is not a bank account and is not run by the port authority. It is a cost estimate from the agent, paid into the agent’s account as an advance.
Who Prepares the PDA?
The port agent appointed for the call prepares the PDA. The agent builds it from the port’s current tariffs, supplier quotes and the ship’s particulars, then sends it to the principal for approval and funding.
The BIMCO/FONASBA Agency Appointment Agreement (2017) states the principle plainly. A proforma disbursements account is a non-binding estimate, and the principal is liable for the actual disbursements.
How Does the PDA Process Work?
The PDA process runs from the agent’s appointment to the final settlement after departure. The principal funds the estimate before arrival, the agent pays the bills, and the FDA reconciles the two.
- Appointment: the principal appoints the agent and sends the ship’s particulars, cargo and expected time in port.
- Estimate: the agent prepares the PDA, line by line, from tariffs and quotes.
- Approval and funding: the principal checks the PDA and remits the advance, usually before arrival.
- Port call: the agent orders services and pays port dues, pilots, tugs and suppliers from the advance.
- Supplementary request: if costs exceed the estimate, the agent asks for extra funds with a supplementary account.
- Final account: after departure the agent sends the FDA with invoices and vouchers for every line.
- Settlement: the agent refunds any surplus, or the principal pays the shortfall.
What Costs Are Included in a PDA?
A PDA lists the ship’s port costs: port dues, pilotage, towage, mooring, berth hire, agency fee and clearance costs. It can also include crew, stores and other husbandry items the principal asks the agent to arrange.
| PDA line | Typical basis |
|---|---|
| Port, harbour or light dues | Gross or net tonnage, per call or per day |
| Berth hire or dockage | Ship’s length or tonnage, per day |
| Pilotage and pilot boat | Tonnage or draught, per move |
| Towage | Number and size of tugs, per job |
| Mooring and line handling | Per operation |
| Agency fee | Flat fee per call, scaled by tonnage |
| Clearance and documentation | Customs, immigration and health formalities |
| Waste and security charges | Per call, under port rules |
| Launch hire, transport, communication | As used |
| Husbandry items (if requested) | Crew change, cash to master, fresh water, stores |
Each line is explained in the guide to port costs, dues and fees. Port dues and pilotage are mostly calculated on gross tonnage, so the ship’s tonnage certificate is the first document the agent needs.
Stores and provisions ordered through a ship chandler may be billed through the agent if the principal agrees. Waste charges follow MARPOL reception rules, and security charges follow the ISPS Code.
What Is Not in a Vessel PDA?
- Customs duties on cargo: paid by the importer, not the ship.
- Ocean freight: settled between the carrier and the shipper, not through the port agent.
- Cargo handling: stevedoring appears only if the charter puts it on the ship’s account.
In a US port the PDA also carries federal arrival fees, such as the CBP and USDA agricultural inspection fees, and state pilotage. These are listed with current rates in the port-costs guide.
What Is the Difference Between a PDA and an FDA?
The PDA is the agent’s estimate before the call; the FDA is the actual account after it. The FDA lists every real invoice with vouchers, and its total decides whether the principal gets a refund or pays a balance.
| PDA (proforma) | FDA (final) | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Before arrival | After departure |
| Figures | Estimated from tariffs and quotes | Actual invoices |
| Supporting documents | Tariff references | Invoices and vouchers for every line |
| Purpose | Fund the call in advance | Settle the call |
| Binding? | No, a non-binding estimate | Yes, the principal pays actual costs |
A supplementary disbursement account (SDA) sits between the two. The agent sends it during the call when extra costs arise, such as a longer stay, extra tugs or a crew change.
Who Pays the PDA?
The principal who appointed the agent pays the PDA: the shipowner or the charterer. The charter party decides which of them carries port costs.
Under a time charter the charterer usually pays port costs and appoints the agent. Under a voyage charter the owner usually pays them. Charter types explained covers how these contracts split costs.
When the charterer controls the agent, the owner may appoint a protecting agent. That agent sends its own, smaller PDA for owner’s items such as crew, spares and repairs.
What Do Shipper PDA and Liner PDA Mean?
In Indian container logistics, shipper PDA and liner PDA describe who pays the rail operator for moving an export container to the port. Here PDA refers to a deposit account with the rail operator, not a proforma disbursement account.
- Shipper PDA: the shipper pays rail transportation costs directly to the rail operator.
- Liner PDA: the shipper pays the shipping line, which pays the rail operator.
Container lines in India set out both options in their export booking guidelines. Liner PDA is offered as a single-window option that avoids separate payments.
What Is an ePDA?
An ePDA is a proforma disbursement account requested, sent and approved through an online platform instead of by email. The platform stores each port’s tariffs, compares quotes between agents and tracks the FDA against the estimate.
Large shipowners and charterers use these platforms to standardise cost lines across agents. Smaller operators still often receive PDAs as spreadsheets or PDF files.
How Do You Check a PDA?
Check a PDA against the port’s current tariff, the ship’s real particulars and the planned call. Most disputes come from wrong tonnage, extra days, overtime and miscellaneous lines added without explanation.
- Particulars: confirm the GT, NT, length and draught the agent used.
- Time: check days alongside and at anchor against the cargo plan and laycan.
- Services: confirm the number of tugs and pilot moves the port actually requires.
- Tariff year: make sure the rates are from the current tariff.
- Overtime and holidays: look for weekend or night surcharges and whether they are realistic.
- Agency fee and extras: compare the fee and the communication, transport and bank charges with earlier calls.
- Exchange rate: check the rate used to convert local currency.
After the call, compare the FDA with the PDA line by line. Ask the agent to explain any line that differs by more than the agreed tolerance, and request the supporting invoice.
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PDA stand for in shipping?
PDA stands for proforma disbursement account, also called a port disbursement account. It is the port agent’s estimate of all costs of a ship’s port call, paid by the principal in advance.
Is a PDA an invoice?
No. A PDA is a non-binding estimate used to fund the call in advance. The final disbursement account (FDA), with invoices and vouchers, shows the actual costs the principal must pay.
What is the difference between PDA and FDA?
The PDA is the estimate sent before the ship arrives. The FDA is the final account sent after departure, listing actual invoices. The difference is refunded or paid as a balance.
Who prepares the PDA?
The port agent appointed for the call prepares the PDA. It is built from the port’s current tariffs, supplier quotes and the ship’s particulars such as tonnage, length and draught.
Who pays the PDA?
The principal who appointed the agent pays it: usually the charterer under a time charter and the owner under a voyage charter. The charter party sets the split.
What is an SDA in shipping?
An SDA is a supplementary disbursement account. The agent sends it during the call when costs exceed the PDA, for example after extra days in port, extra tugs or a crew change.
What is the difference between shipper PDA and liner PDA?
Both are Indian container-rail payment options. Under shipper PDA the shipper pays the rail operator directly; under liner PDA the shipper pays the shipping line, which pays the rail operator.
What is an ePDA?
An ePDA is a proforma disbursement account handled through an online platform. The platform stores port tariffs, compares agents’ estimates and tracks the final account against the PDA.
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