Deadweight (DWT)

Deadweight (DWT) is the total mass a ship can carry at its load draft: $DWT = \Delta_{loaded} - \Delta_{light}$, covering cargo, fuel, fresh water, stores, crew, and ballast. Quoted in tonnes, it is the commercial measure of carrying capacity and the basis of bulk-carrier and tanker size classes (Handysize, Panamax, Capesize). Cargo deadweight subtracts the consumables from DWT, giving the net earning payload.