# Jettison

*Last updated: 2026-06-25*

> Jettison is the deliberate, voluntary throwing of cargo or ship's equipment overboard to lighten a vessel in distress and preserve the ship and its crew.

Jettison is the deliberate, voluntary throwing of cargo or ship's equipment overboard to lighten a vessel in distress and preserve the ship and its crew. Under maritime law, it is one of the foundational acts triggering General Average: owners of sacrificed goods may claim proportional compensation from all parties with a financial interest in the voyage. The act must be proven necessary and reasonable in response to the peril – incidental cargo losses during an emergency do not automatically qualify. Cargo owners and freight forwarders need to understand jettison rules because they directly govern both insurance recovery rights and liability exposure in marine casualties.

**Source:** [https://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/jettison.html](https://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/jettison.html)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Jettison |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 104 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-25 |
| Source | https://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/jettison.html |

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