What does tunnage mean?
Tunnage means the cargo-carrying capacity of a ship. Historically, it was often calculated from the vessel's enclosed cubic space rather than from the actual weight of goods aboard, so it originally described available carrying room as much as freight capacity. The word could also refer to the cargo carried or to duties assessed on a ship according to its capacity. It belongs to the same word family as tonnage, tonne, and ton and reflects the older use of a tun, a large measure of capacity. Although still encountered in historical, legal, maritime, and commercial contexts, tunnage is less common than the modern spelling tonnage. Its unusual history makes it especially useful when reading old shipping records, trade documents, legislation, or accounts of earlier maritime commerce.
nounA measure of a ship's cargo-carrying capacity, traditionally based on its enclosed cubic space rather than the weight of its cargo. The term can also denote the cargo carried or, historically, a charge assessed according to a ship's capacity.
- The cargo-carrying capacity of a ship, especially as expressed in tons or by a traditional measure of enclosed cubic space.
- The amount of cargo carried by a ship or fleet.
- Historically, a duty or charge assessed according to a vessel's measured capacity.
"The vessel's tunnage allowed it to carry a substantial cargo across the Atlantic."
"The company increased the vessel's tunnage to accommodate larger consignments."
"Customs records list the port's total tunnage alongside the number of arriving vessels."
Used when referring to the separate measured capacities of multiple ships or vessels; the unmodified singular commonly functions as a mass noun.
"The two ports reported record tunnages for the following year."
Tunnage once measured a ship's room rather than simply its load: some of the world's first crude containerization happened invisibly inside its hull.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tunnage come from?
Tunnage developed during the Middle English period from a source associated with the old measure tun and the suffix -age. It belongs to the same historical word family as tonnage, tonne, ton, and tun. Its earliest uses concerned duties assessed by a ship's measured capacity, after which the word came to denote the capacity itself and the cargo transported.
Related word forms
How tunnage is actually used
The word is formal, specialized, and now somewhat dated. It belongs chiefly to nautical, commercial, and historical usage.
Easily confused with tunnage
Tonnage is the standard modern spelling, while tunnage is a historical or less common variant with the same core nautical and commercial meanings.