A ship that carries liquid cargo such as crude oil, products, chemicals or gas.
The largest crude oil tankers (VLCCs) carry about 2 million barrels.
Related terms
- VLCC — Very large crude carrier: an oil tanker of about 300,000 deadweight tonnes, about 330 m long.
- Bulk cargo — Unpacked cargo loaded straight into a ship’s hold: coal, ore, grain, oil.