lighterage

American  

[lahy-ter-ij] / ˈlaɪ tər ɪdʒ /

noun

1. the use of lighters lighter in loading and unloading ships and in transporting goods for short distances.

2. a fee paid for lighter light service.

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lighterage British  

/ ˈlaɪtərɪdʒ /

noun

1. the conveyance or loading and unloading of cargo by means of a lighter

2. the charge for this service

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Etymology

Origin of lighterage

First recorded in 1475–85; lighter ² + -age

Example Sentences

The freightage or lighterage charge is $5 a case and boats usually make one trip a day with fifty cases a trip.

From Time Magazine Archive

It was night, as his watch went, when Paul Davidovich started up the delta of the Kobuk River with him in a lighterage company's boat.

From The Alaskan by Curwood, James Oliver

This lighterage cost two dollars per ton, and had to be paid by the ship.

From Two Years in Oregon by Nash, Wallis

This is with the view of saving lighterage and plunderage, and bringing the great mass of commerce so much nearer to the heart of the City.

From The Life of Thomas Telford; civil engineer with an introductory history of roads and travelling in Great Britain by Smiles, Samuel

Have they added a lot more lighters to their lighterage fleet?

From Cappy Ricks Retires by Kyne, Peter B. (Peter Bernard)