🔍 Key Concepts

• VLCC structural strength and how loading affects it • Difference between cargo operation "rates" and hull stress (bending moments and shear forces) • How uneven distribution of weight along the ship’s length can damage the vessel

💭 Think About

• Which option, if ignored, could lead to permanent structural damage or even breaking the ship’s back, even if all other factors look acceptable? • Are loading/discharging rates more about operational efficiency, or about long-term safety of the hull? • How do draft/trim and internal hull stresses relate—can you have a safe draft/trim but dangerous internal stresses?

✅ Before You Answer

• Identify which choice directly concerns longitudinal strength of the hull, not just how fast cargo moves or where the waterline sits. • Consider which factor has absolute safety limits set by the ship’s loading manual and stability booklet. • Ask: during cargo planning on a VLCC, which parameter must always stay within calculated allowable limits for every loading step in the sequence?