VLCC stands for Very Large Crude Carrier, which is a type of large oil tanker used for crude oil shipping. VLCC tankers are typically in the range of 200,000 to 320,000 deadweight tons (DWT) and are larger than Suezmax but smaller than Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCC) . They are used for long-haul routes and can transport crude oil from oil fields located in regions such as the Middle East. VLCCs are draft limited in which ports they can enter and cannot go through the Panama or Suez Canals. They can also handle dirty products such as residual fuel oil. Frequently, draft limits are avoided by lightering cargoes onto or off of VLCCs using smaller ships.