Size of Vessels

Ocean-going vessels

are classified by the type of cargo they carry and their size expressed as dwt or deadweight tonnage. In some cases, a vessel is classified by its length and width. Since each classification society has slightly different standards, the size range for each vessel type may vary.


Bulk Carriers

These vessels carry dry (grains, fertilizers, phophates and ores) or wet (chemicals, orange juice, refined petroleum products) bulk cargo.

Handysize Size: 10,000 - 30,000 dwt

These are small bulk carriers that make up the majority of the world's short haul fleet. Handysize can refer either to a bulk carrier or tanker.

Handymax Size: 30,001 - 50,000 dwt

These are a larger version of the Handysize vessels and popular for both bulk and crude carriers. These vessels have a large variation in size and characteristics.

Panamax Size: 50,001 dwt - 80,000 dwt

This is the maximum size ship that can pass through the locks of the Panama Canal. Locks are 1000ft long by 110ft wide and 85ft deep. Panamax dimensions are: overall length (LOA) of 965ft (290m); beam of 106ft (32.3m); draft of 39.5ft (12.04m).

Capesize Size: 80,001 dwt - 199,000 dwt

These are vessels that are too large to pass through the locks of either the Panama or Suez Canals. As a result, these vessels must travel around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa or Cape Horn in South America to their destinations. These vessels also require deep-water ports.

Very Large Ore Carriers (VL Ore Carriers) Size: 200,000+ dwt

These vessels are the largest bulk carriers and also cannot pass through either the Panama or Suez canals.

Tankers


These vessels carry refined petroleum products in numerous bulk tanks for safety and in order to carry a number of different products in a single voyage.

Tankers of less than 100,000 dwt are referred to as either "clean" or "dirty". Clean tankers carry refined petroleum products such as gasoline, kerosene, jet fuels, or chemicals. The so-called dirty vessels transport products such as heavy fuel oils or crude oil. Larger tankers usually only carry crude oil.

Coastal Size: 3,001 dwt - 10,000 dwt

These are the smallest tankers and are generally used in coastal waters requiring a shallow draft. Coastal tankers typically carry kerosene, heating oils, fuels and chemicals.

Small Size: 10,001 dwt - 19,000 dwt

This is the next size up tanker and is still often used in coastal waters. These also typically carry kerosene, heating oils, fuels and chemicals.

Handy or Handysize Size: 19,001 dwt - 25,000 dwt

Alternate: 10,000 - 34,999 dwt

This is a popular-sized tanker, but typically not used in very long voyages

Medium or Handymax Size: 25,001 dwt - 45,000

Alternate: 35,000 - 49,999 dwt

This is a larger "Handy" sized vessel.

Large/Long Range One (LRI)Size: 45,001 - 70,000 dwt

Alternate: 45,000 to 79,999

Large/Long Range Two (LRII)Size: 70,001 - 100,000+ dwt

Alternate: 80,000 - 159,999


Crude Oil Carriers

These vessels carry bulk crude oil in tanks.

Tankers of less than 100,000 dwt are referred to as either "clean" or "dirty". Clean tankers carry refined petroleum products such as gasoline, kerosene or jet fuels, or chemicals. The so-called dirty vessels transport products such as heavy fuel oils or crude oil. Larger tankers usually only carry crude oil.

PanamaxSize: 50,001 - 80,000 dwt

Approximate 32.2m beam limitation

This is the maximum size ship that can pass through the locks of the Panama Canal. Locks are 1000ft long by 110ft wide and 85ft deep. Panamax dimensions are: overall length (LOA) of 965ft (290m); beam of 106ft (32.3m); draft of 39.5ft (12.04m).

AframaxSize: 80,000 - 119,000 dwt

This is the largest crude oil tanker size in the AFRA (Average Freight Rate Assessment) tanker rate system.

SuezmaxSize: 120,000 dwt - 150,000 dwt

This is the maximum size crude oil ship that can pass through the Suez Canal in Egypt.

Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC)Size: 150,000 - 320,000 dwt

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These are very large crude oil carriers that transport crude oil from the Gulf, West Africa, the North Sea and Prudhoe Bay to destinations in the United States, Mediterranean Europe and Asia. Although VLCCs are otherwise too large, it is possible to ballast these vessels through the Suez Canal.

Ultra Large Crude Carrier (ULCC)Size: 321,000+ dwt

These are the largest man-made vessels that move. Currently, the largest ULCC is 564,939 dwt. These ships sail the longest routes, typically from the Gulf to Europe, the United States and Asia. They are so large that they require custom-built terminals for loading and unloading.