Light Displacement TonnageLDT
The weight of the ship herself — steel, machinery and equipment — empty of cargo, fuel and stores; the basis for scrap pricing.
Light displacement tonnage (LDT) is the weight of the vessel with no cargo, bunkers, stores or crew aboard — essentially the recoverable steel and machinery. It is the difference between loaded displacement and deadweight.
LDT is the unit in which demolition sales are priced, since a recycler is buying the ship’s material content. It is unrelated to gross or net tonnage, which measure volume.
On The Maritime
Also known as: LDT, light displacement, lightweight.
Related terms
Demolition
Selling a ship at the end of her life for recycling, priced per light displacement tonne (LDT).
Deadweight TonnageDWT
The total weight a ship can carry — cargo plus fuel, stores, crew and water — at her load line, in metric tonnes.
Gross TonnageGT
A dimensionless measure of a ship’s total internal volume, used for regulation, manning and port-due calculations.
Plain-English reference definition — our own explanation of a standard shipping concept, not a licensed source or legal advice. See the full glossary or the broader maritime dictionary.
Last reviewed: June 2026.