Suezmax
Meaning
A Suezmax is a tanker of about 120,000 to 200,000 deadweight tonnes, the largest size that can transit the Suez Canal fully laden, carrying around 1 million barrels.
Suezmax explained
Suezmaxes, typically 150,000 to 160,000 dwt, are the workhorses of West African, Black Sea and Mediterranean crude trades and US Gulf exports to Europe. Their flexibility to use Suez and to enter more ports than a VLCC makes them popular for mid-haul voyages.
Related terms
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.
Aframax
An Aframax is a tanker of about 80,000 to 120,000 deadweight tonnes, carrying around 600,000 to 750,000 barrels, common in short and mid-haul crude trades.
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal links the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, saving thousands of miles on Europe–Asia voyages; its draft limit is about 20 metres.
TD20
TD20 is the Baltic Exchange benchmark Suezmax route for a 130,000-tonne crude cargo from offshore Bonny, Nigeria, to Rotterdam.