Crude oil tanker

A crude oil tanker carries unrefined petroleum in bulk from oil terminals to refineries. Under MARPOL Annex I these are crude carriers, distinct from product tankers that move refined cargoes. The fleet runs as a size ladder set by canal and strait limits: Aframax (about 80,000 to 120,000 dwt, the old AFRA freight-rate cap), Suezmax (about 120,000 to 200,000 dwt, the laden Suez Canal draft limit), VLCC (about 200,000 to 320,000 dwt), and ULCC (above 320,000 dwt). All new and existing crude tankers must be double-hull. Cargo is loaded coated or uncoated and discharged through framo or steam-driven pumps at the receiving refinery.