Ship types

Oil tanker

By Admirals Atlas editorial team · Last updated: 22 September 2026

An oil tanker carries crude oil or petroleum products in bulk in cargo tanks. Cargo is loaded and discharged through pumps and pipelines rather than handled as individual packages. Tank arrangement, equipment, and procedures vary with the petroleum product and trade.

Depending on its design and trade, an oil tanker may carry crude oil or refined products. Size terms such as VLCC describe particular tanker segments and should not be confused with the broader oil-tanker type.

Further reading: IMO ship-type descriptions.