What are Shuttle Tankers?

Shuttle tanker is a revolutionary development in the domain of tanker shipping. This is a type of tanker ship, which provides invaluable contribution in the high seas’ oil exploratory areas, thereby helping to maintain a steady constancy in the oil and gases’ supply chain.

Shuttle tankers were first mobilized in the North Sea, when oil exploration began in the oceanic area during the 1970s. Their immediate success has led to slow yet unequivocal acceptance of the tanker vessels across the world.

Operational Areas

Although this type of tanker vessels can be utilized in any kind of oceanic exploratory condition, they are best suited for those areas which are comparatively less accessible through exploratory piping.

Similarly, in those areas where the weather conditions are tricky, these vessels can be successfully deployed with successful results.

Features and Benefits

As compared to extraction pipes, shuttle tankers offer a multitude of feasibility. In cases of technical and maintenance problems, operations in pipes need to be completely shut down which causes unnecessary delay. Alternatively, these tanker vessels come equipped with capable ancillary technical systems, which ensure that there are no unwanted stoppages in the extraction and transference processes.

Utilisation of Dynamic Positioning to maintain stability while being operated
State-of-the-art propelling system and equipping of thrusters, both in the stern and bow to help better vessel manoeuvring
Shuttle tanker vessels help in the better extraction of necessary crude oil and gases, without any unwanted commingling of oils
Various methodologies to transfer the extracted components:

Through the offshore lading system where Floating, Production, Storing and Offshore (FPSO) vessels are used
Through SPM (Single Point Mooring) buoys, where multiple shuttle tanker vessels can lade the extracted oil
Through TLS (Tandem Loading System) where the shuttle tanker is connected to an FPSO – bow to aft
Through STL (Submerged Turret Loading) and SAL (Single Anchor Loading) systems which are used in the harshest and the calmest oceanic areas respectively

Need for DP Systems

Dynamic positioning systems are perhaps the most important feature of these types of ships. Through dynamic positioning, the entire maneuvering of the vessel is able to be controlled electronically – through computers. In terms of climatic estimations, tidal movements and the overall weather conditions, the statistical figures are accurate which helps in the better controlling and mobilizing of the vessel.

In terms of equipping this type of tanker vessels with dynamic positioning, there are three distinct kinds of DP systems that need to be considered. Each variance has its own uniqueness and depending upon the operator’ suitability, a particular DP system can be successfully equipped.

There are various tanker shipping companies that incorporate shuttle tanker vessels. In the coming years, the usage of shuttle tanker vessels is expected to reach extraction areas in the Latin American waters. Looking at these expected trends, it can be very well speculated that the demand for these types of ships will further even more in the coming decades.

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