Chemical Tankers

Chemical tankers carry liquid chemicals in segregated cargo tanks. Regulated under IBC Code, they range from coastal parcel tankers to large ocean-going vessels carrying 20+ products simultaneously.

Total Chemical Fleet

3,171 vessels

Avg Fleet Age

13.2 years

Common Tank Types

SS / Epoxy / ZS

Regulated by

IBC Code (SOLAS VII)

IMO Chemical Tanker Types (IBC Code)

Type 1

IMO Type 1

Highest hazard — acrolein, carbon disulfide, propylene oxide

Tanks: Stainless steel 316L89 vessels

Type 2

IMO Type 2

Moderate hazard — methanol, vegetable oils, phosphoric acid

Tanks: SS 316L / Zinc silicate coated742 vessels

Type 3

IMO Type 3

Low hazard — naphtha, white spirits, clean petroleum products

Tanks: Epoxy coated / phenolic2340 vessels

Size Segments

Segment	DWT	Tank Count	Routes
Parcel Tanker Multiple segregated cargoes simultaneously — up to 30 different products	3,000–25,000	10–30 tanks	Regional, coastal, inland
Handy Chemical Tanker Versatile mid-size vessels	25,000–40,000	15–30 tanks	Regional, inter-continental
Medium Chemical Tanker MR2 size — similar to product tankers	40,000–60,000	20–30 tanks	Global trade lanes
Large Chemical Tanker Often also certified for clean petroleum products	60,000–80,000	20–30 tanks	Global

Common Chemical Cargoes

Cargo Category	Examples	Hazard Level	Tank Requirement
Vegetable & Animal Oils	Palm oil, coconut oil, fish oil, tallow	Low	Zinc silicate or SS
Petrochemicals	Benzene, toluene, xylene, styrene	Moderate	Stainless steel
Alcohols	Methanol, ethanol, isopropanol	Moderate	SS or zinc silicate
Acids	Phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid (diluted)	High	Stainless steel 316L
Caustic / Alkalines	Caustic soda, sodium hydroxide	Moderate	Phenolic epoxy or SS
Clean Petroleum Products	Naphtha, jet fuel, gasoline, diesel	Low-Moderate	Epoxy or zinc silicate

IBC Code — International Bulk Chemical Code. SS = Stainless Steel, ZS = Zinc Silicate. Source: Clarksons Research, HeyMariner Maritime Intelligence.