The MT. ABLE SUN (IMO 9542104) is a 118.0-meter oil product tanker sailing under the flag of Antigua & Barbuda and classified by the China Classification Society (CCS). Built in 2009, this specialized commercial liquid cargo vessel is engineered for regional petroleum transport, short-sea liquid bulk logistics, and refined product distribution across international shipping corridors.
Technical Specifications Summary
• Vessel Name: MT. ABLE SUN
• IMO Number: 9542104
• Vessel Type: Oil Product Tanker
• Flag State: Antigua & Barbuda
• Classification Society: CCS (China Classification Society)
• Year of Construction: 2009
• Length Overall (LOA): 118.0 meters (~387 feet)
• Length Between Perpendiculars (LBP): 110.7 meters (~363 feet)
• Beam (Moulded Breadth): 17.6 meters (~58 feet)
• Primary Role: Transportation of clean and dirty petroleum products
Dimensions, Design, and Hydrodynamic Efficiency
The structural dimensions of the MT. ABLE SUN reflect a carefully optimized balance between cargo volume, hull stability, and hydrodynamic performance. With a Length Overall (LOA) of 118.0m and a Length Between Perpendiculars (LBP) of 110.7m, the hull design features an efficient ratio between total length and load-bearing waterline length.
The 7.3-meter variance between LOA and LBP provides essential bow overhang and stern clearance. This configuration protects deck equipment from green water impact while maintaining optimal flow characteristics around the rudder and propeller assemblies during fully laden transits.
The vessel’s 17.6-meter beam provides a wide beam-to-length ratio that enhances initial transverse stability. This generous breadth helps maintain an optimal metacentric height during complex loading and discharging sequences, minimizing hull heel when operating heavy cargo pumps or handling manifold connections.
Role in Global Oil Product Trades
As an oil product tanker, MT. ABLE SUN is designed primarily to transport refined petroleum products. These cargos typically include clean petroleum products (CPP) such as motor gasoline, automotive diesel oil, aviation jet fuel, and naphtha, as well as dirty petroleum products (DPP) like heavy fuel oil or gas oils depending on tank coating configurations.
Mid-sized product tankers in the 110m to 120m range serve a vital niche in regional marine logistics. Unlike massive Suezmax or VLCC crude carriers that require deepwater offshore moorings, a vessel of MT. ABLE SUN’s dimensions can easily navigate restricted river channels, shallow-draft harbor basins, and small island terminals.
This maneuverability makes the ship highly effective for short-sea shipping, regional fuel replenishment, coastal distribution runs, and ship-to-ship (STS) lightering operations.
Classification & Regulatory Standards
Classed by the China Classification Society (CCS), MT. ABLE SUN adheres to rigorous technical standards covering structural strength, machinery reliability, and onboard safety systems. CCS guidelines require strict adherence to double-hull safety requirements mandated by MARPOL Annex I, offering crucial environmental protection against accidental spills in coastal waters.
Registered under the flag of Antigua & Barbuda, the vessel operates under a internationally recognized flag state registry. This flag status mandates full compliance with core International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions, including:
• SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) governing navigation and firefighting equipment
• MARPOL regulations for marine pollution prevention
• STCW standards for crew competency and watchkeeping
• MLC 2006 mandates for seafarer living and working conditions
Commercial Viability and Asset Value
Constructed in 2009, MT. ABLE SUN represents a well-established asset within the global commercial tanker fleet. Its 118m footprint provides charterers with a versatile trading vessel capable of fulfilling short-haul liquid bulk contracts without incurring the elevated port fees associated with larger vessel classes.
For ship managers, charterers, and maritime logistics providers, MT. ABLE SUN offers a reliable platform that combines regulatory compliance, structural stability, and operational efficiency in short-sea petroleum supply chains.