1. the business or process of transporting goods by lighter (a type of flat-bottomed barge used to transfer cargo between ships and shore)
Usage: nautical; commercial shipping
2. the charges or fees paid for lighterage services
Usage: nautical; commercial

Examples

• The port authority regulated all lighterages operating in the harbor.
• Shipping costs included lighterages for transferring containers to shore.
• The company specialized in lighterages between large vessels and the dock.
• Maritime insurance covered potential damages during lighterages.
• Local lighterages provided essential cargo transfer services.
• The bill itemized lighterages separately from other shipping expenses.