Oil tankers are ships of varying sizes designed for the bulk carriage of crude oil and various refined spirits. The largest are up to 650,000 tons. Pumpjack pumping an oil well near Sarnia, Ontario Petroleum (from Greek petra – rock and elaion – oil or Latin oleum – oil ) or crude oil, sometimes colloquially called black gold, is a thick, dark brown or greenish liquid. ...

The current custom is for crude oil to be transported to near its point of use where it is refined as required.

At various times, there have been accidents that have led to serious and catastrophic pollution. Another concern been the pollution caused by careless cleaning of ships' tanks.

During World War II, the transport of oil and its products was a critical strategic activity, since shortages had a paralysing impact on mechanised nations. The destruction and defence of these ships was, therefore, a prime concern. Combatants Allies: Poland, British Commonwealth, France/Free France, Soviet Union, United States, China, and others Axis Powers: Germany, Italy, Japan, and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II...

While she was a Chevron board member, the oil company named a 130,000-ton oil tanker after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. [1]

See also:

• SS Ohio
• Supertanker
• Torrey Canyon