A.

Tank arrangement
1. Double hull construction:

Side tanks

Longitudinal DB space
A. Regulation:
As per MARPOL ANNEX I (Reg 19), Oil tankers of 600 grt or more delivered on or after 6th
July 1996, must have double hull construction. This is a requirement to prevent accidental
(due to collision or grounding damage causing rupture of plates) oil pollution
B. Basic construction:

I. Outer hull (Side shell and bottom plates)

II. Inner hull
III. Double bottom
IV. Deck
V. Longitudinal bulkhead
Basic construction results in formation of two spaces- a) Side tanks; b) Double bottom
space. Oil cargo is loaded in inner tank space and in ballast voyage the side tanks and DB
spaces are used for ballast.
In case of bigger tanker cargo space is divided into wing tanks and centre tank. But in
smaller tanker there may not be any centre tank fitted.
C. Strengthening members:

These are required to provide strength against various stresses, the tanker will be subjected
in a sea way.
The various stresses are:

1. Longitudinal
2. Raking
3. Torsional
4. Transverse
Accordingly, strengthening members are fitted internally. These are:

1. Longitudinals (fore aft frames) to provide longitudinal strength;

2. Stringers (Horizontal plates fitted with vertical spacing) to provide strength against raking
and torsional stresses;
3. Transverse Web (number of athwart ship bulk heads cut out in the centre) to provide
transverse strength. Also works against raking and torsional stresses.
Advantages:

1. Accidental pollution prevention is best done by double hull construction.

2. The ship is built stronger, because of box girder shape.
3. Side tanks are providing segregated ballast space along with the advantage of having
ballast pipe lines passing through ballast space.
4. Provision of fitting suction well in DB spaces below bell mouth gives the advantage of
less ROB after discharging.

Disadvantages:
1. Costly construction;
2. Cargo carrying capacity (in weight) reduces;
3. Cargo tank volume capacity reduces;
4. D/H tankers has stability problems because of two reasons:
1) Due to raising of CG because of DB height;
2) Free surface effect will be more, if there is less number of longitudinal bulk heads.
5. Chance of small cracks getting developed (mostly in the corner) because of sloshing
effect causing internal pounding which may result in seepage of oil into ballast
spaces.
6. Man entry in side ballast tanks is difficult and risky.