Description
The world’s largest oil tankers are designed with special techniques to accommodate the massive load of petroleum. These tankers represent major maritime transportation routes that capture global attention due to the fascinating details of this industry.
Introduction
The world’s largest oil tankers : The specifications and enormous capacity of the world’s largest oil tankers are astonishing. These tankers are a marvel of intricate details and sophisticated manufacturing techniques, distinguishing them from other known maritime transport methods worldwide. Join us as we explore the secrets and notable types of these tankers.
The World’s Largest Oil Tankers
Human ingenuity shines through in the design of the world’s largest oil tankers, utilizing innovative engineering techniques that are prominent in this industry. Here, we spotlight some of the biggest and most specialized oil tankers :
1. Seawise Giant Oil Tanker
The Seawise Giant is one of the largest oil tankers in the world by length, weight, and capacity. Let’s delve into the details of this magnificent vessel:
- Manufactured by: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Japan.
- Year Built: 1979, operational until 2009.
- Length: 458.45 meters.
- Total Capacity: 260,941 tons.
- Propeller Diameter: 9 meters.
- Crew Size: 35 members.
- Cruising Speed: 16 knots (30 km/h).
2. The Tankers International L.L.C
Among the world’s largest oil tankers are the TI class tankers, the largest fleet for transporting petroleum. Here are the specifics :
- Names of the Three Giant Tankers: TI Asia, TI Europe, TI Africa.
- Manufactured by: Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, South Korea.
- Built for: Hellespont.
- Cruising Speed: 16.5 knots (30.5 km/h) fully loaded.
- Length: 380 meters.
- Width: 68 meters.
- Weight: 234,006 tons.
- Engine Type: 1 × HSD-Sulzer 9RTA84T-D.
- 2010 Conversion: TI Asia and TI Africa were converted to storage vessels.
3. Q-Max Super Tanker
The Q-Max series represents some of the largest oil tankers globally, built by leading companies. Here are the details:
- Manufactured by: Hyundai Heavy Industries, Samsung Heavy Industries, and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.
- First Tanker Built: 2007 by Samsung in South Korea, marked by a celebratory ceremony.
4. Ramthan Super Tanker
Ramthan is one of the world’s largest oil tankers, built with cutting-edge technologies that offer significant advantages, including energy efficiency and large capacity. Details include:
- Manufactured by: Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, South Korea.
- Technological Features: Eco-friendly technology and fuel efficiency.
- Capacity: 298,778 metric tons.
- Oil Transport Capacity: 2,100,000 barrels of crude oil.
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The world’s largest oil tankers
Main Types of Oil Tankers
Understanding the largest oil tankers leads us to categorize these vessels, which are among the largest commercial ships designed and manufactured with special techniques to handle enormous amounts of oil. The types of oil tankers are :
- Crude Oil Tankers: Designed to transport large quantities of unrefined crude oil from extraction sites to refineries.
- Product Tankers: Smaller than crude oil tankers, these are used to transport refined petroleum products from refineries to locations near consumer markets.
- Bunker Tankers: Recently developed to supply ships with fuel and adhere to strict operational regulations.
- Marine Tanker Types and Their Deadweight Tonnage (DWT)
Cargo Capacity of Oil Tankers
The cargo capacity of oil tankers varies according to their sizes and uses. In discussing the world’s largest oil tankers, we will detail the cargo capacities of these and other tankers globally :
| Marine Tanker Type | Deadweight Tonnage (DWT) |
| Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) | 160,000 – 319,999 |
| Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCC) | 320,000 – 549,999 |
| General Purpose Tankers | 10,000 – 24,999 |
| Long Range 1 (LR1) Tankers | 55,000 – 79,999 |
| Medium Range (MR) Tankers | 25,000 – 54,999 |
| Long Range 2 (LR2) Tankers | 80,000 – 159,999 |
Classifications of Oil Tankers
There are several classifications of oil tankers globally, aiming to regulate the transportation of this precious resource between countries. Here, we detail these classifications.
1. Suezmax Tankers
The term “Suezmax” refers to the largest tanker that can pass through the Suez Canal when fully loaded. A standard Suezmax vessel has a deadweight tonnage of about 160,000 tons.
The width of these tankers is approximately 50 meters (164 feet), and their maximum air draft (height above water level) is 68 meters (223.1 feet), while the maximum height above the water at the Suez Canal bridge is 70 meters (230 feet).
2. Malaccamax tankers
“Malaccamax” refers to the largest tankers that can pass through the Malacca Strait, which has a depth of about 25 meters. This term specifically applies to tankers transporting oil from the Arabian Peninsula to China.
3. Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCC)
ULCCs are tankers with a deadweight tonnage starting from 300,000 tons up to 550,000 tons.
These massive tankers are used to transport unrefined crude oil over long distances from the Arabian Gulf to the United States, Europe, and the Far East, usually via the Cape of Good Hope. They unload their cargo at specially constructed terminals.
4. Aframax Tankers
Aframax tankers are smaller than the world’s largest oil tankers, with a capacity of up to 120,000 metric tons and a width exceeding 32.31 meters. Their size allows them to access most ports worldwide, serving countries that lack specialized docking facilities.
Therefore, Aframax tankers are ideal for short to medium-range oil transportation. They are commonly used in regions such as the North Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the South and East China Seas, and the Caribbean Sea.
The World’s Largest Container Ships
Continuing our exploration of the world’s largest oil tankers, we now turn to the largest container ships that specialize in transporting containers. These ships are impressive in their own right, and here are some notable examples :
1. CSCL Globe (The world’s largest oil tankers)
CSCL Globe is one of the world’s largest container ships, known for its impressive specifications:
- Named: 2014 at a grand ceremony.
- Purchased by: Hyundai Heavy Industries for commercial use between Asia and Europe.
- Length: 400 meters.
- Total Capacity: 187,500 tons.
- Engine Power: 77,200 horsepower electronic engine.
2. RMS Queen Mary 2
RMS Queen Mary 2 is a transatlantic ocean liner and the only one in service between Southampton and New York. It is also used as a passenger ship for annual cruises.
- Speed: 30 knots (56 km/h).
- Passenger Capacity: Approximately 2,620 passengers and 1,253 crew members.
3. MSC Irina (The world’s largest oil tankers)
MSC Irina ranks as one of the largest container ships in the world, with a capacity of 24,346 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units).
- Length: 399.9 meters.
- Width: 61 meters.
4. OOCL Spain (The world’s largest oil tankers)
OOCL Spain is one of the world’s largest container ships, notable for its massive capacity.
- Capacity: 24,188 TEU.
- Length: 399.9 meters.
- Width: 61.3 meters.
5. HMM LE HAVRE
Built by Samsung Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, HMM LE HAVRE is one of the largest container ships in the world.
- Length: 400 meters.
- Width: 61 meters.
- Total Capacity: 288,000 tons.
- Container Capacity: Approximately 23,964 TEU.
6. CMA CGM (The world’s largest oil tankers)
Manufactured in the Philippines by Hanjin Heavy Industries, this giant ship entered service in 2018.
- Capacity: 20,954 TEU.
- Maximum Weight: 202,684 metric tons.
- Length: 400 meters.
- Width: 59 meters.
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Discover The World’s Largest Oil Tankers
FAQs
How long is the longest ship in the world?
- The Icon of the Seas is the longest ship in the world, surpassing the Titanic by 316 feet.
How many tons can the largest ship carry?
- The largest ship in the world can carry approximately 250,800 tons of containers.
What is the length of the Galaxy Leader ship?
- The Galaxy Leader ship is 189.20 meters long, with a height of 13.99 meters and a draft of 9.52 meters.
Discover The World’s Largest Oil Tankers
Conclusion
In conclusion, we hope to have provided valuable insights into the world’s largest oil tankers and their various classifications based on size and massive cargo capacities. These tankers play a crucial role in global maritime transportation.
