Nautical Term: Permanent ballast

Definition of Permanent ballast

Permanent ballast refers to heavy material, typically solid, which cannot be removed from a ship through discharge or transfer using a pump or other means. This ballast is employed for achieving the designed draft and trim of the ship.

For instance, an old cargo ship might have permanently installed large iron or steel tanks that serve as ballast. Since these tanks are structurally part of the ship and cannot be separated or removed through any practical means, they constitute permanent ballast for the ship.

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