When the Liberian tanker “Bulkpetrol”, the largest in the world in 1948, was in the Canary Islands » Puente de Mando

In the immediate post-war period, the American company National Bulk Carriers embarked on a plan to build new tankers, the first of which, named “Bulkpetrol”, became the largest in the world upon its delivery in 1948. Its name is associated with the history of the ports of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and La Luz, where it made at least two stops during its maritime life, in March 1958 and July 1963.

The aforementioned National Bulk Carriers built five ships named “Bulkpetrol”, “Bulkoil”, “Bulkoceanic”, “Bulkstar”, and “Bulktrader”. All of them were registered in Liberia under the name of Universal Tankships Inc. and had a deadweight tonnage of 30,000 tons and a striking maritime appearance, with the engine at the stern and the superstructure separated and located a bit further forward, giving it a unique look.

Construction number 24 from the shipyard Welding Shipyards Inc., Norfolk, entered service in November 1948. It was a global event, being a ship of 15,591 gross tons and 30,011 deadweight tons, with main dimensions of 191.90 m in overall length — 187.40 m between perpendiculars — and 25.70 m in beam. It was powered by a General Electric steam turbine that allowed it to maintain a speed of 16.5 knots. IMO 5055062.

Sold in 1966 to HDS Shipping Co. Inc, and renamed “Vega”, in 1967 it changed names twice, first to “Santa Rosa” and then regained its previous name when it came under the ownership of Yukon Shipping Company, always flying the Liberian flag.

In August 1971, the stern section was cut off and joined to the cargo section of the tanker “Mobil Energy”, resulting in a ship of 26,181 gross tons and 52,837 deadweight tons, with a hull of 225.80 m in overall length. Resold in 1971 to Megaron Shipping Ltd. and renamed “Ergon”, in 1974 it was renamed “Energy” by the same company and in August 1975 it was resold for scrap in the Netherlands.