Tuesday, August 2, 2011

What are Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) and Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC)?

What are Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) and Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC)?

A Very large crude carrier and an ultra large crude carrier are two examples of the different types of oil tankers. These oil tankers are extremely important in the shipping industry for they help to transport huge quantities of crude oil across the oceans and seas.

Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) is the measure of weight when it comes to tankers. In terms of oil tankers like a very large crude carrier or an ultra large crude carrier, the DWT represent the maximum quantity of DWT that can be carried. The terms ‘very large’ and ‘ultra large’ are in fact categorisations of the oil tankers which are included in the category of being ‘large.’
It has to be noted that tankers are basically divided into two types: the product tanker and the crude tanker. The product tanker is designed to ferry cargo like petroleum and other refined products that are produced from crude oil, from the industrial plants to the final markets for selling.
This being the case, product tankers are generally smaller and compact as compared to the crude tankers which are bulkier and huger. The bulk and the hugeness of a crude tanker help to carry more containers and barrels of crude oil. However it has to be noted that there are six main classifications of crude tankers:
  • Tankers that are classified as being under General Range
  • Tankers that are classified as being under Medium Range
  • Tankers that are classified as being under Large Range 1
  • Large Range 2 Tankers
  • Very Large Crude Carrier
  • Ultra Large Crude Carrier
A very large crude carrier (VLCC) has a dead weight tonnage or cargo carrying capacity ranking up to 2,50,000 tons. On the other hand, an ultra large crude carrier (ULCC) has a DWT of anything between 2, 50,000 to 5, 00,000 tons. In simple terms, it can be said that these two types of oil tankers ferry about two billion oil containers and barrels.
Carrying such a heavy weight would not only ensure that many oil containers are being transported, but it would also ensure that limited number of trips are taken to ferry a specified number of containers. A very large crude carrier and an ultra large crude carrier are also known as ‘supertankers’ because of their mammoth weight carrying capacity.
The Shell Oil Company first designed the weighing system that brought into use the terminology of ‘very large crude carrier’ and ‘ultra large crude carrier.’ As per the Average Freight Rate Assessment system, the denominations of oil tankers were based on the concept of DWT and the above listed oil tankers classification was introduced. The method adopted was very successful as tankers could be specified more easily on the basis of their cargo-carrying capacity and thereby reduce accidents that could be caused due to excessive cargo.
Tankers and more specifically oil tankers are built for a very important purpose. With the help of oil tankers like a very large crude carrier or an ultra large crude carrier, the role and scope of oil tankers becomes far more feasible. Development is a major factor in today’s times. In order to facilitate better development of the human civilization, it is relevant that very large crude carriers and ultra large crude carriers are used appropriately and successfully.
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