Ship Operations - Alternative Tanker Design Approved

The MEPC approved the Coulombi Egg Tanker Design after several years of evaluation to determine if its design principles afford an equivalent level of oil outflow protection relative to a double hull tanker in the event of collision or stranding. As illustrated below, the design combines principles of hydrostatic loading and the “mid-deck” design. The cofferdam (3%B located between 25%D and 35%D) together with the 45o sloping bulkhead and horizontal partition afford improved resistance to impact loads in the event of a side collision than a double hull tanker. Additionally, the partial transverse bulkhead (to be located at mid-length of the lower side cargo tank) mitigates the sloshing action of incoming seawater and thereby reduces oil outflow from the undamaged side of the tank in the event of a collision.

The Coast Guard, based on their report to the U.S. Congress, does not consider this design to provide equivalence and therefore will not allow entry of such tankers into U.S. ports.