Synopsis

The largest objects ever created by humankind, oil tankers command the world’s oceans, both in their sheer size and impressive numbers. Exceeding ten thousand vessels worldwide, this immense fleet is a direct consequence of our modern, seemingly endless demand for oil. We will explore the history of transporting this vital resource—from its beginnings during the Civil War era through the crucial years of World War II, to the advent of the supertanker in the 1950s. Finally, we’ll consider the fin