Very Large Crude CarrierVLCC
A crude oil tanker of roughly 200,000–320,000 DWT — the backbone of long-haul Middle East–to–Asia oil transport.
A Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) is a tanker of about 200,000 to 320,000 deadweight tonnes, carrying around two million barrels of crude oil. Above this size are Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCCs), now rare.
VLCCs handle the long-haul crude trades, particularly from the Arabian Gulf to East Asia, and their earnings are a closely watched barometer of the crude tanker market.
On TheMaritime
Also known as: VLCC, very large crude carrier, ULCC.
Related terms
Suezmax
A crude tanker (about 120,000–200,000 DWT) sized to the maximum that can transit the Suez Canal fully laden.
Aframax
A crude/product tanker of roughly 80,000–120,000 DWT, the largest size historically rated by the Average Freight Rate Assessment scale.
Deadweight TonnageDWT
The total weight a ship can carry — cargo plus fuel, stores, crew and water — at her load line, in metric tonnes.
WorldscaleWS
A unified index of nominal tanker freight rates that lets the market quote any tanker voyage as a single percentage.
Plain-English reference definition — our own explanation of a standard shipping concept, not a licensed source or legal advice. See the full glossary or the broader maritime dictionary.
Last reviewed: June 2026.