The total weight a vessel can carry, including cargo, fuel, fresh water, ballast water, provisions, passengers, and crew, measured in metric tonnes. DWT is the difference between the displacement of the vessel when fully loaded and when empty (lightweight), and is the primary measure of a cargo vessel's carrying capacity.
Also known as: DWT.
Category: Cargo & Trade
On The Maritime
The desks where this concept is measured.
In the Glossary
Deadweight TonnageDWT
The total weight a ship can carry (cargo plus fuel, stores, crew and water) at her load line, in metric tonnes.
Read the full explanation in the GlossaryRelated terms
More in Cargo & Trade
ContainerizationThe system of transporting goods in standardised intermodal containers that can be efficiently transferred between ships, trucks, and rail cars without handling the cargo itself.CustomsThe government authority responsible for controlling the import and export of goods at ports, collecting duties and taxes, and enforcing trade regulations.Dead FreightA charge payable by the charterer for the unused cargo space when the agreed quantity of cargo is not provided for loading.DemurrageA charge payable by the charterer to the shipowner when a vessel is detained in port beyond the agreed laytime allowed for loading or discharging cargo.DispatchA financial reward paid by the shipowner to the charterer when a vessel completes loading or discharging in less than the agreed laytime.Dry DockingThe process of placing a vessel in a dry dock for inspection, maintenance, repair, and painting of the underwater hull.
Back to DictionaryEntry updated May 2026