Marine & Nautical
Intermediate

Deadweight Tonnage

Cargo-carrying capacity: loaded minus empty displacement.

Formula

DWT=ΔloadedΔlightDWT = \Delta_{loaded} - \Delta_{light}

Variables

DWTDeadweight (t)
Δ_{loaded}Loaded displacement
Δ_{light}Lightship displacement

Example

Loaded 60,000 t, light 15,000 t: DWT = 45,000 t

Did You Know?

Deadweight includes cargo, fuel, water and crew — everything a ship can carry beyond its own hull.

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