VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier)

A VLCC is a Very Large Crude Carrier: a crude oil tanker generally in the 200,000 to 319,000 DWT range, used for long-haul crude trades between major loading terminals and refinery regions.

For bridge and cargo teams, VLCC size affects under-keel clearance, arrival draft, inert gas procedures, berth limits, tug planning and tank-sounding discipline. Compare related vessel-size terms such as Suezmax and Capesize.