Glossary
Terms & Glossaries of Shipping and Trading
Measurement Ton
In shipping, measurement ton is a unit of volume used in shipping freight, equal to 40 cubic feet.
One measurement ton or freight ton is equal to 40 cubic feet (1.133 m³), but historically it has had several different definitions. It is used to determine the amount of money to be charged in loading, unloading, or carrying different sorts of cargo. In general if a cargo is heavier than salt water, the actual tonnage is used. If it is lighter than salt water, e.g. feathers, freight is calculated using Measurement Tons of 40 cubic feet.
