Comparative Study on Double-Hull Tankers and Mid-Deck Tankers

This study was aimed to assist the Steering Committee with its study for comparing the oil outflow performance of double-hull tankers and mid-deck tankers, particulary that related to grounding accidents in order to determine if the two tanker designs could lead to the same level of the oil outflow performance. The study was also aimed to assist the Steering Committee with its study for future development of the draft guidelines for approval of alternative designs with regard to the evaluation of the oil outflow performance of different bottom structure for grounding accidents. The study was made to each one of double hull tankers and mid-deck tankers for 280,000DWT, 150,000DWT, 90,000DWT and 40,000DWT respectively. The expected oil outflow of these tankers was calculated under the assumed grounding scenario using the energy obsorption method and probability curve based on the statistic data of grounding accidents. The outcome of the study shows that the oil outflow performance of the mid-deck tankers over 40,000DWT is at least equivalent to that of the double-hull tankers.