very large crude carrier
Quick Summary
A Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) is a type of ship designed to transport crude oil in bulk. These vessels are among the largest ships afloat, with lengths around 330 meters (1,100 feet) and capacities ranging from 200,000 to 320,000 deadweight tons (dwt). They can carry approximately two million barrels of crude oil.12
VLCCs are a classification of oil tankers, with even larger ships known as Ultralarge Crude Carriers (ULCCs). These supertankers typically operate on long-haul routes, such as from the Persian Gulf to major markets in Asia, Europe, or North America. Due to their immense size, VLCCs and ULCCs often require specialized port facilities and must navigate around the Cape of Good Hope to reach their destinations.2
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