TI class supertankers

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The TI Class of ships are the four largest double-hulled supertankers in the world, and as of 2004 became the largest ocean going ships since the previous largest, the single hulled supertanker Knock Nevis was converted to a permanently moored floating storage and offloading unit (FSO). The class comprises the ships TI Africa, TI Asia, TI Europe and TI Oceania, where the "TI" refers to the VLCC Tanker Pool operator Tankers International L.L.C. The class were the first ULCCs (Ultra-large crude carrier) to be built for 25 years^[1].

All four oil tankers were constructed by shipping company Hellespont in South Korea's Daewoo yard in 2002/3. The class was originally named the Hellespont Alhambra, Hellespont Fairfax, Hellespont Metropolis and Hellespont Tara. In 2004 the class was jointly purchased. Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) purchased Hellespont Fairfax and Hellespont Tara, renaming them TI Oceania and TI Africa respectively (flagged for the Marshall Islands^[2]). Euronav NV, a Belgian shipowner, purchased Hellespont Alhambra and Hellespont Metropolis and renamed them TI Asia and TI Europe respectively (flagged Belgium^[2]).

The class possess a relatively high service speed (16.5 knots laden, 17.5 knots in ballast), which increases their earning capacity. The steel scantlings are greater than the class minimum.

The coatings in the ballast tanks are protected by two features, a full time double-scrubbing system supplying drier inert gas to the ballast tanks, and also by the white painted upper hull reflecting the sun’s energy. The inert gas system also increases safety. Keeping down the cargo temperatures also minimizes hydrocarbon emissions^[1].

Hellespont Fairfax was the subject of an episode of The Discovery Channel's television show Superships[1], entitled "Launching a Leviathan—Hellespont Fairfax".

Statistics:

• Built: 2002/3
• Type: ULCC (Ultra-large crude carrier) (V-Plus)
• Gross: 234006 GT^[2]
• Net: 162,477
• Dwt: 441,585 metric tons deadweight (DWT)
• Length: 1,245 feet (379 m)^[2]
• Breadth: 68 m (223 ft)
• Depth: 34 m (112 ft)
• Draught: draft=24.525 metres (80.46 ft)^[3]
• Capacity=441585 DWT^[2],3,166,353 barrels (503,409,900 l)^[3]