Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC) is a type of tanker ship designed to transport extremely large quantities of crude oil.

Definition: A supertanker with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) typically exceeding 300,000 tons.

Characteristics:

Size and Capacity: These ships can carry between 320,000 to 550,000 DWT of crude oil.

Dimensions: ULCCs are usually around 380 meters in length and 68 meters in width.

Advantages:

Economies of Scale: Significantly reduces the cost of transporting crude oil per barrel.

Long-Haul Transport: Ideal for long-distance oil transport between continents.

Examples:

TI Europe: One of the largest ULCCs, with a DWT of around 440,000 tons.

Seawise Giant: Once the largest ULCC ever built, with a DWT of 564,763 tons.

Impact on Trade:

Port Requirements: Requires specialized deep-water ports and unloading facilities.

Oil Supply Chain: Integral to the global oil supply chain, impacting oil prices and trade flows.