Glossary
Deadweight (DW)
The maximum weight of cargo that a vessel can carry, including fuel, crew, and provisions.
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What is Deadweight (DW) & how is it Calculated?
Deadweight (DW) is a term used in shipping and refers to the total weight of cargo, fuel, crew, and supplies that a ship can carry when it is fully loaded and ready to sail. It is the difference between the total weight of the loaded ship and the weight of the ship when it is empty or without any cargo or fuel.
Deadweight is calculated by subtracting the lightweight of the ship from its loaded weight. The lightweight of the ship includes the weight of the ship’s hull, machinery, and equipment, but does not include cargo, fuel, crew, or supplies.
The formula to calculate Deadweight (DW) is as follows:
DW = Loaded weight of the ship – Lightweight of the ship
The loaded weight of the ship includes the weight of the cargo, fuel, crew, and supplies. The lightweight of the ship can be determined through a process called inclining experiment, which involves measuring the ship’s weight at different angles of inclination and calculating the lightweight based on these measurements.
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