GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Lighter
A lighter is a flat-bottomed barge or harbour craft, typically with little or no self-propulsion, used to transfer cargo between a vessel at anchor and the shore.
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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighter_(barge)
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A lighter is a flat-bottomed barge or harbour craft, typically with little or no self-propulsion, used to transfer cargo between a vessel at anchor and the shore. This ship-to-shore method – known as lightering – is standard in ports where deep-draught vessels cannot reach the quay, or where berth availability is limited. Lighters handle containers, break-bulk, and bulk commodities, helping to reduce vessel waiting time at anchor. Lighter charges are billed separately from regular port handling fees and are not included in standard terminal handling charges; in some ports, particularly across West Africa and parts of Southeast Asia, they represent a significant cost factor for shippers and freight forwarders.
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