Lightering is the ship-to-ship offshore transfer of crude oil and petroleum products from larger vessels such as ULCCs, VLCCs or Suezmaxes to smaller tankers that are capable of entering shallow-draft ports. Lightering is required in ports that restrict the largest tankers from entering due to the depth of the water, narrow entrances or small berths. A benefit of lightering is that it enables the off-loading cargo owner the ability to vary their deliveries by size, location and date as opposed to a single discharge at one location. Customers for lightering services include major oil companies, independent refiners, oil traders and other energy sector companies that require the waterborne movement of crude oil and refined petroleum products.

Crude oil lightering is a complex offshore operation dependent on effective scheduling, specialized equipment and expert ship-handling. The diversity of OSG’s lightering fleet and presence in the three primary lightering areas in the United States offers customers significant logistical benefits and reduced waiting times and fees associated with delayed loading and unloading.

There are three primary lightering areas in the United States that OSG serves; the U.S Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. West Coast and the Delaware Bay on the east coast of the United States.

OSG broadened the scope of its international crude lightering services for global customers with the acquisition of Heidmar Lightering Services in April 2007. The acquisition added to the fleet four international flag Aframax tankers and two U.S. Flag workboats. OSG Lightering primarily serves customers operating in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and recently launched service on the U.S. West Coast. With specialized lightering equipment, experienced personnel and 24 x 7 capabilities, OSG Lightering is an important link in OSG’s Aframax and Panamax International trading routes, providing maximum flexibility for customers due to the availability of service vessels from both of these pools.

OSG Lightering is ISO 9001:2000 certified, representing the highest quality management principles, detailed process orientation and customer focus.

On the East Coast of the United States in the Delaware Bay, OSG America is a leading provider of lightering services. The U.S. Flag operation performs 100 percent of lighterings in the Delaware Bay region with a fleet of two articulated tug barges (ATBs) and one Handysize product carrier.