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

The earliest shipping-port of Glasgow was Irvine in Ayrshire, but lighterage was tedious and land carriage costly, and in 1658 the civic authorities endeavoured to purchase a site for a spacious harbour at Dumbarton.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 1 "Gichtel, Johann" to "Glory" by Various

In the organization of this transport the constant and helpful cooperation of the Shipping Board, the railroads, and those in control of warehousing, wharfing, lighterage, and other terminal facilities has been invaluable.

From World's War Events, Vol. II by Reynolds, Francis J. (Francis Joseph)

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

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

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