Search and Track Tanker Ships

Tanker vessels are ships used to carry liquids and gases in the sea. They transport oil and petroleum throughout the world. They are an important part of world trade. According to industry reports, 35% of trade ships in the sea are tanker vessels. The longest vessels in the oceans are also tankers. Tankers are the backbone of transporting critical resources like crude oil, liquified natural gas (LNG), liquified petroleum gas (LPG),  chemicals, and other liquid products. According to Wikipedia, tanker vessels transport 2 billion metric tons of oil annually. 

Technical Details of Tanker Vessels

Dimensions and Carrying Capacity

Crude oil tankers carry oil from source locations to refineries. They are the largest type of tankers.

1. Aframax: 240m long and has a capacity of 80,000 to 120.1000 DWT
2. Suezmax: 285m long and has a capacity of 120,000 to 200,000 DWT
3. Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC):  330m long and have a capacity of 200,000 to 320,000 DWT
4. Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCC): 415m long and have a capacity of up to 400,000 DWT.

Product tankers carry refined petroleum products like diesel, LNG, and jet fuel. 

1. Long Range (LR2) product tankers: 250m long and 85,000 to 125,000 DWT carrying capacity
2. Long Range (LR1) product tankers: 228m long and 60,000 to 85,000 DWT carrying capacity
3. Medium Range (MR) product tankers: 180-200m long and 40,000 to 60,000 DWT capacity
4. Handysize product tankers: 150-180 m long and 25,000 to 40,000 DWT capacity

LNG tankers carry LNG 

1. Moss tanks: They have 4-5 tanks and handle a working pressure of 22 kPa. Their capacity is 125,000 to 260,000 cubic metres. 
2. Prismatic type B tanks: self-supporting boxed containers that withstand internal accidents. 
3. C-Type tanks: withstand high pressures up to 200 kPa. 
4. LNT-Abox systems: They are up to 200m long. The capacity is 15,000 to 45,000 cubic metres. 

LPG Tankers:

1. Pressurised gas tankers have 1000-4000 cubic metres capacity.
2. Refrigerated gas carriers are used to carry LPG at low temperatures with capacity of 1200 to 85,000 cubic metres.
3. Chemical tankers carry liquid chemicals, like alkalis, acids, and petrochemicals, in bulk.
   1. ST1 tankers: for transporting the most dangerous products that require strict measures.
   2. ST2 tankers: for transporting hazardous chemicals that require safety precautions.
   3. ST3 tankers: for transporting products requiring moderate safety measures.

Asphalt Tankers carry hot asphalt or bitumen. Their capacity ranges from 6000 to 8000 DWT. 

Engine Power and performance

The relationship between speed and fuel consumption is important for efficient operations. The average speed of tanker vessels is 10 to 16 knots (18.5 - 29.6 kph). Increased speeds use more fuel. Reducing speed by 10% reduces fuel consumption by 20%. This shows slow operating ships at ECO speed are more optimised for long-distance transports. 

Slow steaming allows tankers to operate at slower speeds which conserves fuel and reduces emissions into the environment. The delivery of products is also economical and a timely one. The best-performing tanker ships are the ones operating at 12-14 knots. Maximum speeds have been recorded at 18 knots. 

Uses of Tanker Vessels

Commercial Uses

Tanker vessels transport cruise oil, which is used to extract gasoline and a range of other fuel types that power vehicles throughout the globe.

Industrial Uses

Tanker vessels run a large number of industries: the chemical and petroleum industry, oil and gas industry, and mining and metal industry.

Advantages of Tanker Vessels

• Easy transport of valuable chemicals to long routes via the ocean.
• Tanker vessels contribute to global trade, shackling the geographical barriers.
• Tanker vessels ensure the safe transport of valuable chemicals. Spill-free technologies prevent contamination over long-distance transports. 
• Features such as double hulls and inert gas systems prevent explosions and internal damage. They aren’t affected by environmental conditions as much as other modes of transport do.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Q: How do tanker vessels ensure the safety of transporting dangerous materials?

A: Systems such as double hulls, inert gas systems, spill prevention, membrane systems, and strict inspections and regulations help prevent accidents.

 

Q: What types of material do tanker vessels carry?

A: Tanker vessels carry liquids such as oil, diesel, jet fuel, LNG, LPG, chemicals, and bitumen across the seas and oceans. 

 

Q: What are the different classes of Tanker vessels?

A: The different classes of tanker vessels include the crude oil tankers, product tankers, LNG tankers, LPG tankers, chemical tankers and asphalt tankers.