1. the process of transferring cargo from a ship to smaller vessels, typically in shallow water where the ship cannot dock
Usage: nautical; maritime commerce

Examples

• The large container ship required lightering operations to unload cargo in the shallow harbor.
• Lightering services were arranged to transfer oil from the tanker to barges.
• The port’s lightering facilities can handle vessels up to 200,000 tons.
• Due to low tide, lightering became necessary to complete the cargo delivery.
• The company specializes in lightering operations for oversized ships.
• Weather conditions delayed the lightering process by several hours.