Cargo deadweight (DWCC)

Cargo deadweight, often DWCC for deadweight cargo capacity, is the mass of revenue cargo a ship can load: total deadweight at the assigned summer load line minus fuel oil, diesel, fresh water, ballast, stores, crew, and other consumables. Deadweight itself is loaded displacement minus lightship. DWCC is the figure quoted in charter negotiations because it is what actually pays freight, and it changes with bunker and water on board, so a ship’s DWCC is stated for a defined voyage allowance. It is read against draft on the deadweight scale and is capped by the load-line draft, not by hold volume unless the cargo is light.