A sum of liquidated damages charged by owners to charterers for cargo that was agreed for loading but not actually loaded.
If the charter party specifies “60,000mt”, but only 50, 000 tonnes is loaded, deadfreight is due on 10,000 tonnes, at the same rate as the freight. Any margin allowed to charterers, e. g. “10% more or less in charterers’ option” should, however, be allowed for, so that in the above example charterers can legally load as little as 54, 000 tonnes. The master should make out a Deadfreight Claim form.
