IHI Delivers 269,800-DWT Texaco Caribbean

The Texaco Caribbean, a very large crude carrier (VLCC) of 269,800 deadweight tons, built for the fleet of Texaco Panama Inc. by IHI (Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.), was christened recently in ceremonies at the IHI shipyard in Kure, Japan.

The vessel was delivered last month and will be operated under long-term contract by Texaco Panama Inc., under the Panamanian flag. Texaco Panama, a wholly owned subsidiary of Texaco Inc., is engaged in worldwide marine transportation, as well as marketing in the Republic of Panama.

Sponsor of the Texaco Caribbean was Mrs. Jack C. Williams, whose husband is vice president in charge of Texaco's Refining Department -— United States.

The Texaco Caribbean has an overall length of 1,105 feet, a breadth of 179 feet, and a loaded draft of 69 feet. The ship is powered by steam turbines developing a maximum of 40,000 shaft horsepower. The loaded service speed will be 16 knots.

The new Texaco VLCC is equipped with an inert gas system to maintain a nonflammable and nonexplosive atmosphere in its cargo tanks. The vessel features the latest electronic navigational aids, including a sonar/ doppler system designed to improve safety when anchoring or docking. Texaco has been an industry leader in the installation of this system.

The Texaco Caribbean is also fitted with special tanks for the onboard retention of oil residues.

The tanks used for ballast are extensively coated to protect against corrosion.

The Texaco Caribbean will join one of the world's largest tanker fleets. Texaco Inc. and its subsidiaries own or operate under term charter about 160 oceangoing tankers totaling approximately 17.3 million deadweight tons.

The addition of the Texaco Caribbean brings the total number of oceangoing tankers owned or operated under bareboat charter or operating contract with Panamanian registry by Texaco Panama to 33 ships, totaling 3,827,960 deadweight tons. In terms of deadweight tonnage, the size of this Texaco Panama fleet has more than tripled over the past five years. In 1971, the total deadweight of these tankers in the Texaco Panama fleet, representing 28 ships, amounted to 1,181,354 tons.

The Texaco Caribbean has a cargo capacity in excess of two million barrels, which is enough to power an average-size electric power generating plant of 50,000 kilowatts continuously for two and one-half years.

Texaco petroleum products have been sold in Panama since 1938. Texaco Panama markets a complete line of Texaco products through its own wholesale and consumer organization, as well as through a network of retail service stations. Texaco Panama is also engaged in sales to the aviation and marine trades.

A sistership of the Texaco Caribbean, the Texaco Veraguas, was delivered to Texaco Panama by IHI in 1976.

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 11, May 1977

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