VLCC
Transportation & Travel abbreviation · Maritime
| Stands for | Very large crude carrier |
|---|---|
| Categories | Transportation & Travel |
VLCC stands for Very large crude carrier, a maritime abbreviation.
Oil tanker of roughly 200,000 to 320,000 deadweight tonnes, able to carry about 2 million barrels of crude. VLCCs dominate long-haul routes from the Persian Gulf to Asia.
Example: Charter rates for a VLCC from the Gulf to China doubled in a week.
Usage notes
Most VLCCs are too large for the Suez Canal when fully loaded, so they sail around Africa or use pipelines to bypass the canal. Tankers are classed by size: Aframax, Suezmax, VLCC and ULCC. Freight rates for VLCCs are watched as indicators of oil demand.
Related abbreviations
More maritime abbreviations
- AB – Able Seaman
- AIS – Automatic Identification System
- ARPA – Automatic radar plotting aid
- B/L – Bill of lading
- COG – Course over ground
- COLREGS – International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
- CPA – Closest point of approach
- DR – Dead reckoning
- DSC – Digital selective calling
- DWT – Deadweight tonnage
- ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display and Information System
- EPIRB – Emergency position-indicating radio beacon