Aframax, Suezmax and VLCC Tankers: Size Classes Explained
Tankers are grouped by size. The class tells you how much oil a ship can carry, which ports it can enter and which routes it is used on.
Crude oil tanker classes
Aframax tankers carry about 80,000 to 120,000 DWT, roughly 500,000 to 800,000 barrels. The name comes from an old freight rate system (Average Freight Rate Assessment). They are used for medium routes and in ports with limited depth. Suezmax tankers carry about 120,000 to 200,000 DWT and are the largest size that can pass through the Suez Canal fully loaded. VLCC (very large crude carriers) carry about 200,000 to 320,000 DWT, about two million barrels. Even bigger ULCC tankers exist but are rare.
Product and chemical tankers
Refined products are carried in smaller ships because cargoes are smaller and ports are more varied. Handy-size product tankers are about 10,000 to 40,000 DWT. MR (medium range) tankers are about 25,000 to 55,000 DWT and are the most common. LR1 and LR2 (long range) tankers are about 55,000 to 120,000 DWT. Chemical tankers are mostly smaller, with many separate tanks. See the guides to oil products and chemical tankers.
Where each class is used
VLCCs load at large export terminals in the Middle East, West Africa, Brazil and the United States and discharge in China, India, Japan and Korea. Suezmax and Aframax ships serve routes inside regions, such as West Africa to Europe or the Mediterranean, and regional trade. Which size a port can take depends on its depth, its berth and its rules.
How tankers are chartered
Most cargoes are chartered on a voyage charter, with a freight based on a standard scale or in dollars per tonne, or as a lump sum. Tankers also go on time charter for periods. See the overview of tanker charter and the crude oil tanker guide.
What a request should say
The cargo grade and quantity, the loading and discharging ports, the laycan and any special needs such as coated tanks, heating, segregation or an inert gas system. For crude cargoes, add the quantity range and the load port limits. Vetting of ships by oil companies can limit which ships are accepted, so write if a particular approval is needed.
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