Deadweight Tonnage (often abbreviated as DWT) is a measure of the maximum weight that a ship can carry without risking its safety. This includes the mass of everything on board — from cargo, fuel, passengers, crew, to provisions and freshwater. It’s a crucial metric for assessing a vessel’s cargo-carrying capacity and plays a vital role in commercial shipping, as it directly impacts the profitability of a shipping service. Deadweight tonnage is not to be confused with displacement, which measures the total volume of water a vessel displaces when it’s loaded, which is expressed in terms of weight.
To understand how deadweight tonnage affects shipping operations and maritime commerce or to get further insights into this and related maritime concepts, one can refer to the following resources:
1. International Maritime Organization (IMO):
The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for regulating shipping. The website provides resources and documentation about shipping regulations, maritime safety, and environmental concerns, including terminology and definitions related to shipping capacities.
Website: (" target="_blank">https://www.imo.org](https://www.imo.org rel="nofollow">https://www.imo.org)
2. American Bureau of Shipping (ABS):
ABS is a leading international classification society, with a mission to promote the security of life, property, and the natural environment, primarily through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction, and operational maintenance of marine-related facilities. It offers educational and technical documents that detail various aspects of maritime measurements and standards.
Website: (" target="_blank">https://www.eagle.org](https://www.eagle.org rel="nofollow">https://www.eagle.org)
Please note that the availability and content of these web pages may change over time. If a link becomes inactive or the content changes, it is advised to visit the official homepage of the mentioned organizations and search for the most up-to-date resources about deadweight tonnage and other shipping metrics.
This A.I.-generated glossary is intended to provide a convenient means to understand terminology used on this website in the context of physical commodities trading. Some terms may have alternative and/or expanded definitions that may not be relevant here and thus not included. Sources provided are for reference and not intended to be an endorsement of the broader content on that website. Suggestions, questions, or corrections can be provided in the comment box on definition pages.