A tween deck, short for between deck, is a movable intermediate deck in the hold of a multipurpose or breakbulk vessel that splits the hold into separate levels. The panels can be raised, lowered, or removed to set the deck height to the cargo, creating a floor partway up the hold. The arrangement keeps lighter cargo off heavier cargo and gives flat, stable surfaces for stowage.
Tween-deck vessels suit project cargo, machinery, and bagged or palletized goods that need protected, segregated space rather than one open hold. The decks also help distribute weight and secure loads. Texas International Freight uses tween-deck and multipurpose tonnage for breakbulk and project logistics moves worldwide.
