The "TI Class" of ships are the four largest double-hulled supertankers in the world, and as of 2004 became the largest ocean going ships since the previous largest, the single hulled supertanker "Knock Nevis" was converted to a permanently moored floating storage and offloading unit (FSO). The class comprises the ships "TI Africa", "TI Asia", "TI Europe" and "TI Oceania", where the "TI" refers to the VLCC Tanker Pool operator Tankers International L.L.C. The class were the first ULCCs (Ultra-large crude carrier) to be built for 25 years.

All four oil tankers were constructed by shipping company Hellespont in South Korea's Daewoo yard in 2002/3. The class was originally named the "Hellespont Alhambra", "Hellespont Fairfax", "Hellespont Metropolis" and "Hellespont Tara". In 2004 the class was joitly purchased. Overseas Shipholding Group (OSG) purchased "Hellespont Fairfax" and "Hellespont Tara", renaming them "TI Oceania" and "TI Africa" respectively (flagged for the Marshall Islands). Euronav NV, a Belgian shipowner, purchased "Hellespont Alhambra" and "Hellespont Metropolis" and renamed them "TI Asia" and "TI Europe" respectively (flagged Belgium).

The class possess a relatively high service speed (16.5 knots laden, 17.5 knots in ballast) increases their earning capacity. The steel scantlings are greater than the class minimum.

The coatings in the ballast tanks are protected by two features, a full time double-scrubbing system supplying drier inert gas to the ballast tanks, and also by the white painted upper hull reflecting the sun’s energy. The inert gas system also increases safety. Keeping down the cargo temperatures also minimizes hydrocarbon emissions [http://www.wartsila.com/,en,solutions,0,marine_references,32397EA2-BD58-4E21-AEA3-E69DFCF5446E,3D99061B-4028-41C4-A8FA-2715B028D9D5,,.htm Wärtsilä] ] .

"Hellespont Fairfax" was the subject of an episode of The Discovery Channel's television show "Superships" [http://www.discoverycivilization.ca/shows/showdetails.aspx?sid=6943] , entitled "Launching a Leviathan—Hellespont Fairfax".

Statistics:
* Built: 2002/3
* Type: ULCC (Ultra-large crude carrier) (V-Plus)
* Gross: GT|234006United States Coast Guard, 2008.]
* Net: 162,477
* Dwt: DWT|441,585|metric|first=yes
* Length: convert|1245|ft
* Breadth: 68 m (223 ft)
* Depth: 34 m (112 ft)
* Draught: draft=convert|24.525|m|ftTankers International, 2008.]
* Capacity=DWT|441585,convert|3166353|oilbbl|l

Notes

References

*cite web |url=http://psix.uscg.mil/PSIX/PSIXDetails.aspx?VesselID=626419 |title=TI Oceania |accessdate=2008-04-08 |author=United States Coast Guard |authorlink=United States Coast Guard |date=2008-04-07 |work=Port State Information Exchange |publisher=United States Coast Guard
*cite web |url=http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMII/MMIIMar27c.html |title=Hellespont to name ULCC's |accessdate=2008-04-08 |author= |date=2002-03-22 |work=News Updates |publisher=marinelog.com
*cite web |url=http://www.euronav.com/fleet.asp |title=Owned vessels |accessdate=2008-04-08 |author=Euronav |date=2008 |work=Euronav.com |publisher=Euronav
*cite web |url=http://www.tankersinternational.com/fleet_list.php?type=1&order=year_down |title=Fleet List|accessdate=2008-04-08 |author=Tankers International |date=2008 |work=tankersinternational.com |publisher=Tankers International

External links

* [http://supertankers.topcities.com/id127.htm Auke Visser´s International Super Tankers] —information page on the "Hellespont Fairfax".
* [http://www.ship-photos.de/ ship-photos.de] : Categorized ship photos including photos of Hellespont Fairfax's Sisterships
* [http://www.hellespont.com Hellespont homepage]