A crude tanker is a an oil tanker built specifically for transporting crude oil (as opposed to

refined oil). The firm that owns the crude tanker leases the ship under a complicated
contract to oil marketers, oil refiners, chemical companies, or other users like contractors
representing governments, consortiums or businesses. Contract terms vary based on the
length of the lease, the quantity of oil to be transported and the route of transport. The
contract also includes details of who will bear operational expenses like fuel costs, crew
payments and insurance.

Long-term contracts that span several months, or even years, are quite common.
Depending upon the size, capacity, and operational expenses, it is common for very-
large crude carriers (VLCC) and ultra-large crude carriers (ULCC) to generate daily
profits of $100,000 or more for their owners.

Some well-known, publicly listed crude tanker companies include Frontline Ltd (FRO),
Teekay Tankers Ltd (TNK), Tsakos Energy Navigation (TNP), Nordic American Tankers
(NAT), DHT Holdings (DHT), and Euronav NV (EURN).

http://www.planete-energies.com/en/medias/close/transporting-oil-sea
The oil is transported on purpose-built ships called tankers, which are classified by their
deadweight tonnage (dwt).
A Malaccamax tanker can have a deadweight tonnage of up to 300,000, but its draft is
limited to 20 meters.

Jacket Platform