Capesize

Capesize ships are cargo ships originally too large to transit the Suez Canal (i.e., larger than both panamax and suezmax vessels). To travel between oceans, such vessels used to have to pass either the Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn. Vessels this size can now transit the Suez Canal as long as they meet the draft restriction (18.91m as of 2008)

Overview

Capesize vessels are typically above DWT|150,000|long|first=yes, and ships in this class include VLCC and ULCC supertankers and bulk carriers transporting coal, ore, and other commodity raw materials. The term "capesize" is most commonly used to describe bulk carriers rather than tankers. A standard capesize bulker is around DWT|175,000, although larger ships (normally dedicated to ore transportation) have been built, up to DWT|400,000. The large dimensions and deep drafts of such vessels mean that only the largest deep water terminals can accommodate them.

See also

* Panamax
* Suezmax
* Draft (hull)
* List of deep water ports

External links

* [http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch3en/conc3en/shipsize.html Vessel size groups]