Vessel Classifications

Question 1

Oil Tankers

Answer 1

Designed for transporting crude oil

Question 2

Bulk Carriers

Answer 2

Designed to carry bulk solids such as grains, fertilizer and ores or bulk liquids such as refined petroleum products, chemicals and orange juice

Question 3

General Cargo Ships

Answer 3

Designed to carry break bulk cargo

Question 4

Containerships

Answer 4

Designed to transport standard-sized ocean freight containers

Question 5

Other Types of Ships

Answer 5

Liquified gas carriers
Chemical tankers
Miscellaneous tankers
Ferries and passenger ships
Other miscellaneous ships

Question 6

Aframax

Answer 6

(shipping) An ocean-going crude oil tanker vessel of standard size between 80,000 and 119,000 dwt that is the largest crude oil tanker size in the AFRA (Average Freight Rate Assessment) tanker rate system.

Question 7

Capesize(bulk)

Answer 7

(shipping) An ocean-going cargo vessel that is physically too large to fit through the locks of either the Panama or Suez Canals and therefore must voyage via Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America to get to or from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, or the Cape of Good Hope at the southernmost tip of South Africa to get to and from the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Capesize vessels generally serve deepwater terminals handling raw materials, such as iron ore and coal.

Size: 80,001 dwt - 199,000 dwt

Question 8

Handymax(bulk)

Answer 8

(shipping) A small bulk or oil tanker vessel of 30,001 to 50,000 dwt that is a larger version of the popular Handysize vessel.

Size: 30,001 - 50,000 dwt

These are a larger version of the Handysize vessels and popular for both bulk and crude carriers. These vessels have a large variation in size and characteristics.

Question 9

Handysize(bulk)

Answer 9

(shipping) A small bulk or oil tanker vessel that is suited to tie up at a T2 type pier. These vessels are a maximum of of 10,000 to 30,000 dwt. These vessels are more maneuverable and have shallower draft than larger vessels and therefore make up the majority of the world’s ocean-going cargo fleet.

Size: 10,000 - 30,000 dwt

Question 10

Panamax(bulk)

Answer 10

(shipping) An ocean-going cargo vessel of the maximum size possible to pass through the locks of the Panama Canal, which are 1000ft long by 110ft wide and 85ft deep. These vessels are typically of 50,000 to 80,000 dwt, 965ft (290m) in length; 106ft. (32.3m) beam; and 39.5ft (12.04m) draft.

Size: 50,001 dwt - 80,000 dwt

Question 11

Suezmax

Answer 11

(shipping) An ocean-going cargo vessel of the maximum size possible to pass through the locks of the Suez Canal in Egypt. This standard has evolved over time. Prior to 1967, a Suezmax was a maximum of 80,000 dwt. The canal was closed between 1967 and 1975 because of the Israel-Arab conflict. Upon reopening in 1975, after many modifications to the locks and canal itself, the maximum was increased to 150,000 dwt.

Question 12

Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC)

Answer 12

(shipping) An ocean-going crude oil tanker of 300,000 to 550,000 dwt. These are the largest vessels in the world and are used for carrying crude oil on long haul routes from the Arabian Gulf to Europe, America and the Far East, via the Cape of Good Hope. These vessels require custom built terminals for loading and discharge.

Question 13

Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC)

Answer 13

(shipping) An ocean-going crude oil tanker of 200,000 to 299,999 dwt. These vessels have greater flexibility than ULCCs due to their smaller size and are used extensively in the Mediterranean, West Africa and the North Sea. These vessels can sometimes be ballasted through the Suez Canal.

Question 14

Very Large Ore Carriers (VL Ore Carriers, bulk)

Answer 14

Size: 200,000+ dwt

These vessels are the largest bulk carriers and also cannot pass through either the Panama or Suez canals.

Question 15

Coastal(Tanker)

Answer 15

Size: 3,001 dwt - 10,000 dwt

These are the smallest tankers and are generally used in coastal waters requiring a shallow draft. Coastal tankers typically carry kerosene, heating oils, fuels and chemicals.

Question 16

Small(Tanker)

Answer 16

Size: 10,001 dwt - 19,000 dwt

This is the next size up tanker and is still often used in coastal waters. These also typically carry kerosene, heating oils, fuels and chemicals.

Question 17

Handy or Handysize(Tanker)

Answer 17

Size: 19,001 dwt - 25,000 dwt

Alternate: 10,000 - 34,999 dwt

This is a popular-sized tanker, but typically not used in very long voyages

Question 18

Medium or Handymax(Tanker)

Answer 18

Size: 25,001 dwt - 45,000

Alternate: 35,000 - 49,999 dwt

This is a larger “Handy” sized vessel.

Question 19

Large/Long Range One (LRI, Tanker)

Answer 19

Size: 45,001 - 70,000 dwt

Alternate: 45,000 to 79,999

Question 20

Large/Long Range Two (LRII, Tanker)

Answer 20

Size: 70,001 - 100,000+ dwt

Alternate: 80,000 - 159,999

Question 21

Panamax(COC)

Answer 21

Size: 50,001 - 80,000 dwt

Approximate 32.2m beam limitation

This is the maximum size ship that can pass through the locks of the Panama Canal. Locks are 1000ft long by 110ft wide and 85ft deep. Panamax dimensions are: overall length (LOA) of 965ft (290m); beam of 106ft (32.3m); draft of 39.5ft (12.04m).

Question 22

Aframax(COC)

Answer 22

Size: 80,000 - 119,000 dwt

This is the largest crude oil tanker size in the AFRA (Average Freight Rate Assessment) tanker rate system.

Question 23

Suezmax(COC)

Answer 23

Size: 120,000 dwt - 150,000 dwt

This is the maximum size crude oil ship that can pass through the Suez Canal in Egypt.

Question 24

Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC, COC)

Answer 24

Size: 150,000 - 320,000 dwt

These are very large crude oil carriers that transport crude oil from the Gulf, West Africa, the North Sea and Prudhoe Bay to destinations in the United States, Mediterranean Europe and Asia. Although VLCCs are otherwise too large, it is possible to ballast these vessels through the Suez Canal.

Question 25

Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC, COC)

Answer 25

Size: 321,000+ dwt

These are the largest man-made vessels that move. Currently, the largest ULCC is 564,939 dwt. These ships sail the longest routes, typically from the Gulf to Europe, the United States and Asia. They are so large that they require custom-built terminals for loading and unloading.