Ship-to-Ship Transfers Offer a Route for Oil Deliveries Worldwide

Ship-to-ship transfers provide a way to move oil between vessels at sea, helping carry supplies onward to destinations around the world.

The process is used mainly for crude oil. Rather than unloading ashore, a vessel transfers its cargo directly to another ship offshore.

Both small and large ships can take part in these operations. The defining feature is the movement of oil from one vessel to another while at sea.

Although presented as a new means of delivering oil, ship-to-ship transfers have been used for various purposes. Their role in crude transport reflects a method that is already part of maritime operations.