Legal Definitions - registered tonnage

Registered tonnage, also known as register tonnage, is a measurement of a ship's total internal volume. This figure, expressed in "register tons" (where one register ton equals 100 cubic feet), is primarily used to calculate port fees, canal tolls, and other charges.

Registered tonnage refers to a historical and administrative measurement of a ship's internal volume, not its weight. It quantifies the total enclosed space within a vessel, with one "register ton" being equivalent to 100 cubic feet. This standardized measurement is primarily used for calculating various fees, such as port dues, canal transit charges, and lighthouse fees, as well as for determining compliance with certain maritime regulations related to capacity and safety.

Here are some examples illustrating how registered tonnage is applied:

• Imagine a large cargo ship arriving at a busy international port. The port authority needs to calculate the docking fees, pilotage charges, and waste disposal fees. These charges are not based on the ship's actual cargo weight, which can vary greatly, but on its registered tonnage. This ensures a consistent and predictable charge based on the vessel's overall size and its use of port facilities, regardless of whether it is fully loaded or empty.

• Consider a cruise ship planning to transit through a major shipping canal, like the Panama Canal. The canal authority charges a toll for passage. This toll is determined by the cruise ship's registered tonnage, which reflects the amount of space the vessel occupies within the canal system and the resources required for its passage, rather than the number of passengers on board or the weight of its fuel and provisions.

• A company operating a fleet of passenger ferries is designing a new vessel. Maritime safety regulations often stipulate minimum crew numbers, lifeboat capacity, and other safety equipment requirements. These requirements are frequently tied to the ship's registered tonnage. This ensures that larger vessels, which have more internal volume and potentially carry more people or cargo, are adequately staffed and equipped for emergencies based on their overall size and capacity.