VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier)

A Very Large Crude Carrier is a tanker of roughly 200,000 to 320,000 deadweight tonnes, the standard hull for long-haul crude movements from the Persian Gulf to Asia and Europe. A VLCC carries about two million barrels and is too large for the loaded Suez and Panama transits that smaller tankers use, shaping the trade routes it works. Above 320,000 dwt the class becomes an Ultra-Large Crude Carrier; below it sit the Suezmax and Aframax segments.