Maritime glossary
Draught
The vertical distance from the waterline to the deepest point of the hull, the constraint that decides which ports a loaded vessel can enter.
Definition
Draught (spelled draft in the US) is the most operationally consequential of the three hull dimensions. Loaded draught decides whether a vessel can enter a draught-restricted port like Rotterdam (24 m), Antwerp (15.5 m), or Houston (around 14 m). Vessels often lighter, meaning they discharge part of the cargo at an offshore terminal, to clear draught restrictions at their final destination. Maximum permissible draught is set by the load line marks on the hull and varies by season and water density.
How Vessel Hunter uses Draught
The Vessel Hunter approaching-ports inbox checks draught against the destination terminal and flags vessels that will need to lighter, so commercial teams can pre-position the service.
Related terms
- LOALength Overall
The maximum length of a vessel from the foremost to the aftmost point, including any fixed projections.
- Beam
The widest point of a vessel, the constraining dimension for lock chambers, dry docks, and some terminals.
- DWTDeadweight Tonnage
The maximum weight in tonnes a vessel can carry (cargo, fuel, ballast, crew, stores) without exceeding its load line.
- Load LinePlimsoll Mark
The marking on a ship’s hull that shows the maximum legal loading depth for a given season and water density.
- Air Draught
The vertical distance from the waterline to the highest fixed point of a vessel, the constraint under bridges and cranes.
The bigger picture
Draught is one piece of the commercial maritime picture Vessel Hunter pulls together for shipyards, suppliers, service providers, and port agents. Every vessel record bundles AIS, ownership, inspections, dry-dock history, casualty record, classification status, and a verified contact for the operator decision-maker behind the ship, so the team that reaches out first wins the work.
Continue reading: full maritime glossary · every Vessel Hunter feature.