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Capesize
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Capesize ships are cargo ships too large to traverse either the Suez Canal or Panama Canal (i.e., larger than both panamax and suezmax vessels). To travel between oceans, such vessels must round the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn.
Capesize vessels are typically above 150,000 deadweight tons, and ships in this class include VLCC and ULCC supertankers and bulk carriers transporting coal, ore, and other commodity raw materials. The term is most commonly used to describe bulk carriers rather than tankers, however. A standard capesize bulker is around 175,000 tons deadweight, although larger ships (normally dedicated to ore transportation) have been built, up to 400,000 dwt. The massive dimensions (and generally very deep drafts) of such large vessels mean that only the largest deep water terminals can handle them. Also their size is better suited to the harsh ocean conditions that are often encountered off the southern tips of Africa and South America.
The growth of the economy of the mainland of the People's Republic of China (with its great demand for raw materials) and increasing congestion in the Suez and Panama canals has led to an increase in the number of capesize vessels ordered.
| General Types of Modern Merchant Ship |  |
|---|---|
| Dry Cargo Ships • Bulk carrier • Container ship • Reefer ship • RORO Ship • Tankers • Chemical tankers • Coastal trading vessel • Passenger ship • Cruise ship • Ferry • Cable layer • Tugboat • Dredger • Barge • Panamax • Capesize • Seawaymax • Handymax • Handysize • Aframax • Suezmax • Malaccamax • VLCC • ULCC |