Deadweight
DWT
Meaning
Deadweight (DWT) is the total weight a ship can carry, cargo plus fuel, water, stores and crew, at its maximum permitted draft, in tonnes.
Also written as Deadweight tonnage, Summer deadweight
Deadweight explained
Tanker sizes are classed by deadweight. The cargo a ship can actually lift is less than its deadweight, because bunkers, fresh water and constants take up part of it, and port draft limits can reduce it further.
Deadweight is quoted at the summer load line unless stated otherwise.
Related terms
Draft
Draft (or draught) is the depth of the ship below the waterline. It limits which ports, berths and canals a laden tanker can use.
Cargo tolerance
Cargo tolerance is the allowed variation in cargo quantity, such as 5% more or less in owners' option (MOLOO) or in charterers' option (MOLCO).
VLCC
A VLCC is a very large crude carrier of roughly 200,000 to 320,000 deadweight tonnes, carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil.
Suezmax
A Suezmax is a tanker of about 120,000 to 200,000 deadweight tonnes, the largest size that can transit the Suez Canal fully laden, carrying around 1 million barrels.
Aframax
An Aframax is a tanker of about 80,000 to 120,000 deadweight tonnes, carrying around 600,000 to 750,000 barrels, common in short and mid-haul crude trades.