“All fast” is one of those phrases that sounds reassuring at sea.
The ships are alongside. The lines are passed. The fenders are working. The cargo hose is connected. It feels like the difficult part is over.
But in similar-size VLCC STS, that is not always true.
The system keeps changing through the transfer. One vessel is rising. The other is settling. Freeboard changes. Windage changes. Mooring leads change. Fender loading changes. The cargo hose geometry also changes.
So when two VLCCs part after being all fast, weather may be the trigger… but it should not be the full explanation.
This longer DeepDraft video looks at the risk after “all fast” and why STS safety depends on whether both ships continue behaving as one controlled system.
Full written analysis:
https://thedeepdraft.com/2026/07/06/similar-size-vlcc-sts-the-risk-after-all-fast/
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated visual explainer. Some visuals may be symbolic or inaccurate and should not be treated as documentary footage. Please refer to the written article for the factual analysis.
