Stock Photo - May 30, 1968 - May 30th, 1968 Lighting V.L.C.Cs (Very Large Crude Carriers) ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú Shell International Marine Limited has introduced new methods for lightening V.L.C.Cs at sea by transferring part of their cargoes of crude oil to a specially equipped smaller tanker. V.L.C.Cs tankers of the 200,000-d.w. ton class, are now coming into the Shell service, and there will eventually be 29 of them. Until 1970, when plans to deepen the entrance channels to Europort, Le Havre and Gothenburg are completed ,these ships will not be able to berth in Western Europe while carrying a full cargo. To overcome this, the Shell Tanker ?¢‚Ǩ?ìDrupa?¢‚Ǩ¬ù, 66,950 d.w. tons, has been adapted as a lightening vessel, with special fender, hoses, radio and other equipment. When a V.L.C.C. enters Western Europe waters she makes rendezvous with the ?¢‚Ǩ?ìDrupa?¢‚Ǩ¬ù, the two ships are moored together, and the ?¢‚Ǩ?ìDrupa?¢‚Ǩ¬ù takes off sufficient of the V.L.C.C.?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s cargo to enable her to enter harbor. A second lightening tanker will be equipped this summer. Photo Shows: ?¢‚Ǩ?ìDrupa?¢‚Ǩ¬ù coming alongside and mooring. (Credit Image: © Keystone Press Agency/Keystone USA via ZUMAPRESS.com)