Malacca Strait
Meaning
The Malacca Strait between Malaysia and Sumatra is the main route from the Indian Ocean to East Asia, used by most Gulf to China tanker voyages.
Also written as Strait of Malacca, Singapore Strait, Malaccamax
Malacca Strait explained
Its shallowest point limits draft to around 20 to 21 metres, which defines the “Malaccamax” size. The deepest-draft ships route through the Lombok or Sunda straits instead, adding distance.
Related terms
TD3C
TD3C is the Baltic Exchange benchmark VLCC route for a 270,000-tonne crude cargo from Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, to Ningbo, China.
VLCC
A VLCC is a very large crude carrier of roughly 200,000 to 320,000 deadweight tonnes, carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil.
Draft
Draft (or draught) is the depth of the ship below the waterline. It limits which ports, berths and canals a laden tanker can use.