Course Content
Course Overview and Objectives
This topic introduces the objectives and scope of the PSSR course and explains its importance for seafarers.
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Course Overview and Objectives
Shipboard Safety and Work Practices
This topic focuses on the importance of safe working practices onboard ships. It explains how seafarers can identify hazards, follow safety procedures, and adopt correct work methods to prevent accidents and injuries while working at sea.
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Shipboard Safety and Work Practices
Applying Safety Procedures Onboard
This topic focuses on the practical application of safety procedures during shipboard operations and the importance of following established rules to maintain a safe working environment.
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Applying Safety Procedures Onboard
Understanding Ship Structure and Work Areas
This topic explains the basic structure of a ship, important work areas onboard, and commonly used shipboard terms to help seafarers understand their working environment.
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Understanding Ship Structure and Work Areas
Different Ship Types and Cargo Handling Methods
This topic introduces the various types of ships used in the maritime industry and explains the nature of cargoes they carry, along with a basic understanding of cargo handling operations onboard.
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Different Ship Types and Cargo Handling Methods
General Cargo Vessels and Their Role
This topic explains the features of general cargo ships, the types of cargo they carry, and the basic operational practices followed during cargo handling onboard.
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General Cargo Vessels and Their Role
Multi-Functional Cargo Ships
This topic explains the design and operational features of multi-functional cargo ships, their ability to carry different types of cargo, and the basic cargo handling practices followed onboard.
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Multi-Functional Cargo Ships
Bulk Cargo Ships and Their Operations
This topic explains the design, characteristics, and development of bulk carrier ships, along with the nature of solid bulk cargo transported by these vessels.
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Bulk Cargo Ships and Their Operations
Ro-Ro Ships
This topic explains the concept and design of Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) ships, the types of wheeled and tracked cargo they carry, and the cargo handling arrangements such as ramps and deck configurations used onboard.
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Ro-Ro Ships
Overview of Oil Tanker Vessels
This topic explains the different types of oil tankers, their classification based on cargo and size, special tanker operations, and the structural features designed to ensure safety during the transportation of liquid cargo.
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Overview of Oil Tanker Vessels
Combination Carriers (Ore–Bulk–Oil Carriers)
Combination carriers are specially designed merchant ships capable of transporting different types of cargo such as ore, dry bulk, and oil at different stages of their voyage. These ships provide operational flexibility by allowing ship operators to avoid empty return voyages and improve overall efficiency.
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Combination Carriers (Ore–Bulk–Oil Carriers)
Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR)

Oil Tankers

Oil tankers are specially designed vessels used to transport a wide range of liquid cargoes by sea. Broadly, oil tankers can be classified into two main categories. The first category includes crude oil tankers, which are primarily used to carry a single grade of crude oil. Some of these vessels, known as Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCCs), can reach deadweight capacities of up to 500,000 tonnes.

The second category consists of product tankers. These vessels are designed to transport multiple grades of refined petroleum products simultaneously. Product carriers are generally smaller in size compared to crude oil tankers and are commonly employed for shorter trade routes and regional distribution.

Oil Tanker


Top View Layout of an Oil Tanker

Midship Section of a Double Hull Tanker

In addition to being classified as crude oil tankers or product tankers, oil tankers may be further sub-categorized based on their operational roles. While most tankers transport oil between ports, replenishment oilers are designed to refuel ships while they are at sea. Mother ships operate in deep waters and transport large quantities of oil from offshore oil fields to deep-water areas near ports. Lightering vessels then transfer the oil from these mother ships to shore-based refineries.

In some cases, tankers that are no longer economically viable for regular voyages are used as floating storage units. These vessels remain anchored and serve as temporary storage for oil cargo.

Common Terminology Used for Oil Tanker Classification

Certain terms are specifically used to describe oil tankers based on their construction and capacity.

Single Hull
Single-hull tankers have only one layer of hull plating separating the seawater from the oil cargo. These vessels are no longer built, and most existing single-hull tankers are being phased out or banned in many countries due to environmental safety concerns.

Double Hull
Double-hull tankers are constructed with two layers of hull plating, creating a protective space between the sea and the cargo tanks. This design is mandatory for newly built oil tankers and provides additional protection against oil spills in the event of a collision or grounding.

OBO (Ore-Bulk-Oil Carrier)
OBO carriers are designed to transport oil on one leg of a voyage and bulk cargo, such as iron ore, on the return leg. This dual-purpose design allows operators to maximize revenue by avoiding empty return voyages.

LR1 (Large Range 1)
LR1 tankers have a deadweight tonnage ranging between 45,000 and 80,000 tonnes.

LR2 (Large Range 2)
LR2 tankers fall within a deadweight range of 80,000 to 159,999 tonnes.

VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier)
VLCCs carry between 160,000 and 319,999 tonnes of crude oil. Vessels of this size and above are commonly referred to as supertankers.

ULCC (Ultra Large Crude Carrier)
ULCCs are the largest oil tankers in operation, with deadweight capacities of 320,000 tonnes and above. These massive vessels are among the largest ships ever built and are comparable in length to some of the tallest structures in the world.

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