The Greek tanker company Hellespont Shipping and its US partner Loews Corporation built a series of four ultra-large crude oil carriers (ULCC) in 2002–2003 which were the first ULCCs to be built for some 25 years, and are also the first double-hulled ULCCs.

The 442,470 dwt Hellespont Alhambra, Hellespont Metropolis, Hellespont Tara and Fairfax are notable for being built to a high specification. For example, their relatively high service speed (16.5 knots laden, 17.5 knots in ballast) increases their earning capacity and provides charterers with greater operational flexibility. The steel scantlings are greater than the class minimum. Efforts are also made to extend the life of coatings in the ballast tanks. This is helped by the double-scrubbing system supplying drier inert gas to the ballast tanks, and also by the white hull reflecting the sun’s energy. Keeping down the cargo temperatures also minimizes hydrocarbon emissions.

Wärtsilä solution
The Hellespont Alhambra and her sister ships are each propelled by a nine-cylinder Sulzer 9RTA84T-D low-speed engine of 36,900 kW maximum continuous output. Electrical power is provided by three generating sets each powered by a Wärtsilä 9L20 auxiliary engine of 1530 kW output at 900 rpm.

The Sulzer RTA84T low-speed 2-stroke diesel engine is specifically tailored for the propulsion needs of large tankers. It runs at low speeds (61 to 76 rev/min) to match the optimum propeller speeds of such large ships.