# BP Shipping

BP Shipping is the maritime arm of British headquartered global oil company, BP. The unit covers the marine transport, logistics and insurance requirements of all BP's global activities.
Formed in 1956 as the BP Tanker Company, its roots go back to the British Tanker Company, which was formed to carry products for the Anglo-Persian Oil Company. It is hence the oldest continuous business unit in the BP group. The company changed its name to BP Shipping in 1981 to encompass its marine insurance activities, and in 2006 transported 251.7 million tonnes of crude and products, representing around 5% of the world's sea borne oil movements

## Origins
### British Tanker Company

Having initially employed independent contractors to carry its oil from Persia (now Iran) back to Europe and into India, in April 1915 the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) set up the British Tanker Company (BTC) in April 1915, with an initial capital of £100,000. The BTC placed orders with two Tyneside based shipbuilders, Armstrong Whitworth and Swan Hunter, for a total of seven steam-powered oil tankers.
The BTC's first tanker was the 3,663 gross tonnage British Emperor, launched in 1916. The names of all the first seven ships bore the prefix "British", and all future additions to the fleet have followed the same naming convention. The 60th ship was the new flagship, the 6,998 gross tonnage British Aviator, BTC's first diesel engined oil tanker, and was at that time the most powerful single-screw motor ship in the world.
Through steadying of relationships with the Shah of Iran, APOC managed to strengthen its position within the industry during the Great Depression. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the British government chartered the BTC's whole fleet of 93 vessels, to transport fuel for its armed forces. The fleet lost 41 ships sunk during the war, with two others so badly damaged they could only be used as storage hulks.

### BP Tanker Company

In November 1954, APOC renamed itself the British Petroleum Company, and in 1956 the BTC became the BP Tanker Company (BPTC). By the end of the 1950s, the BPTC's fleet stood at 146 vessels, including supertankers of 38,000 gross tonnage (67,000 deadweight tonnes), with plans to build tankers of 60,000 gross tonnage (100,000 deadweight tonnes), which would hold more than 25 million US gallons (95,000 m$^3$) of crude oil. A significant development of the tanker fleet was seen in the building of the British Admiral, the first 100,000 dwt tanker built in Europe and launched at Barrow-in-Furness in 1965 by Elizabeth II.
In 1981 the company was renamed BP Shipping Limited to reflect its changing role in managing the tanker fleet.

## Operations

Today, while BP Shipping remains responsible within the group for all water-born logistics, much of its fleet capacity is gained through hiring other operators vessels. The result is that it is also responsible for marine assurance on everything that is sited within or floats on water.
Employing 2,800 people based mainly in London, Singapore and Chicago, at the end of 2006 BP Shipping managed:
* 57 vessels - four Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), one North Sea shuttle tanker, 42 medium size crude and product carriers, seven liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and three new liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers
* 24 regional vessels, including coasters
* 100 hydrocarbon-carrying vessels above 600 deadweight tonnes on time charter
Resulting in:
* The shipping of 270 million tonnes of cargo volume
* 7,000 voyages, of which at any time 450-500 cargoes are "on the water"
* On average two thirds of shipments are made by seagoing tankers, the rest via inland and harbour barges
The marine insurance activity covers 800-900 miscellaneous craft such as tugs, crew boats, barges and seismic vessels used in support of BP group business around the world. All are vetted, with policy being that BP Shipping considers a vessel to be unacceptable unless positively identified otherwise. Of the 4,700 inspections in 2006, half resulted in an initial rejection.
Other marine holdings include:
* BP Shipcare: a lay-up facility located in East Malaysia
* Alaska Tanker Company: minority shareholding in four purpose-built ships of 110,693 GT retained on time charter to transport crude oil from Alaska to US west coast ports. The ships are Alaskan Legend, Alaskan Explorer, Alaskan Frontier and Alaskan Navigator.
* China LNG Shipping: 40% shareholding in ship management service to LNG carriers serving the Guangdong LNG terminal

## Fleet
### Retired ships

| Class | Builder | Type | Ships | Flag | Port of Registry | Service | Notes |
| | Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering | Shuttle Tanker (DP2) | Loch Rannoch | United Kingdom | Lerwick, Shetland | 1998–2013 | Returned to owners, Knutsen OAS, September 2013 |
| P Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | VLCC | British Pioneer | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 1999–2011 | Renamed Ridgebury Pioneer Scrapped 2018 |
| P Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | VLCC | British Pride | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2000–2016 | Renamed Ridgebury Pride |
| P Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | VLCC | British Progress | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2000–2016 | Renamed Ridgebury Progress |
| P Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | VLCC | British Purpose | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2000–2016 | Renamed Ridgebury Purpose |
| Tree Class | Tsuneishi Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Beech | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2003–2015 | renamed Sea Beech |
| Tree Class | Tsuneishi Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Hazel | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004–2016 | renamed Sea Hazel |
| Tree Class | Tsuneishi Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Holly | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004–2016 | renamed Sea Holly |
| Tree Class | Tsuneishi Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Vine | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004–2016 | renamed Sea Vine |

### Active ships

| Class | Builder | Type | Ships in Class | Flag | Port of Registry | in Service | Notes |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Osprey | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2003 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Swift | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2003 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Robin | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2003 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Curlew | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Cormorant | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2005 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Gannet | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2005 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Mallard | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2005 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Merlin | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2005 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Cygnet | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2005 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Falcon | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2006 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Eagle | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2006 | |
| Bird Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | Aframax | British Kestrel | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2006 | |
| E Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Medium Range Products Tanker | British Esteem | United Kingdom | London | 2003 | |
| E Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Medium Range Products Tanker | British Explorer | United Kingdom | London | 2003 | |
| E Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Medium Range Products Tanker | British Envoy | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2006 | |
| E Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Medium Range Products Tanker | British Ensign | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2006 | |
| E Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Medium Range Products Tanker | British Emissary | United Kingdom | London | 2007 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Integrity | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Liberty | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Loyalty | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Security | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Tenacity | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Unity | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Fidelity | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2004 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Chivalry | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2005 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Courtesy | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2005 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Harmony | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2005 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Serenity | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2005 | |
| Virtue Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Large Range Product Tanker | British Tranquility | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2005 | |
| C Class | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Carrier | British Commerce | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2006 | |
| C Class | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Carrier | British Courage | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2006 | |
| C Class | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries | Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Carrier | British Councillor | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2007 | |
| Trader Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | LNG carrier | British Trader | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2002 | First Spot-market LNG carriers. |
| Trader Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | LNG carrier | British Innovator | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2002 | First Spot-market LNG carriers. |
| Trader Class | Samsung Heavy Industries | LNG carrier | British Merchant | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2003 | First Spot-market LNG carriers. |
| Gem Class | Hyundai Heavy Industries | LNG carrier | British Emerald | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2007 | First Dual-Fuel Diesel-Electric (DFDE) LNG carriers. |
| Gem Class | Hyundai Heavy Industries | LNG carrier | British Diamond | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2008 | First Dual-Fuel Diesel-Electric (DFDE) LNG carriers. |
| Gem Class | Hyundai Heavy Industries | LNG carrier | British Ruby | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2008 | First Dual-Fuel Diesel-Electric (DFDE) LNG carriers. |
| Gem Class | Hyundai Heavy Industries | LNG carrier | British Sapphire | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2008 | First Dual-Fuel Diesel-Electric (DFDE) LNG carriers. |
| | Kawasaki Heavy Industries | LNG carrier | Northwest Shearwater | Bermuda | Hamilton, Bermuda | 1991 | Vessel operated for North West Shelf Venture. |
| Barge | Breko Nieuwbouw | Lubricating Oil | Victoria | Netherlands | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 2005 | Operated by Verenigde Tankrederij |
| Barge | Breko Nieuwbouw | Lubricating Oil | Vanora | Netherlands | Rotterdam, Netherlands | 2006 | Operated by Verenigde Tankrederij |
| V Class | Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering | VLCC | British Venture | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2013 | |
| V Class | Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering | VLCC | British Vantage | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2013 | |
| R Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Respect | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| R Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Resource | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| R Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Regard | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| R Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Renown | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| R Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Rigour | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| R Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Restraint | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| R Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Reliance | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| R Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Resolution | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| R Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Aframax | British Reason | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| Century Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Suezmax | British Century | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2017 | |
| Century Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Suezmax | British Heritage | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2017 | |
| Century Class | STX Offshore & Shipbuilding | Suezmax | British Tradition | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2017 | |
| Mariner Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Product Tanker | British Mariner | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| Mariner Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Product Tanker | British Navigator | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| Mariner Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Product Tanker | British Seafarer | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| Mariner Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Product Tanker | British Sailor | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| Mariner Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Product Tanker | British Cadet | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| Mariner Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Product Tanker | British Captain | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2017 | |
| Mariner Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Product Tanker | British Chief | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2017 | |
| Mariner Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Product Tanker | British Officer | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2017 | |
| Mariner Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Product Tanker | British Engineer | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2017 | |
| Cloud Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Handysize | British Cumulus | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| Cloud Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Handysize | British Nimbus | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2016 | |
| Cloud Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Handysize | British Stratus | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2017 | |
| Cloud Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Handysize | British Altus | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2017 | |
| Cloud Class | Hyundai Mipo Dockyard | Handysize | British Cirrus | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2017 | |
| Partnership Class | Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering | LNG carrier | British Partner | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2018 | |
| Partnership Class | Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering | LNG carrier | British Achiever | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2018 | |
| Partnership Class | Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering | LNG carrier | British Contributor | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2018 | |
| Partnership Class | Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering | LNG carrier | British Listener | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2019 | |
| Partnership Class | Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering | LNG carrier | British Mentor | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2019 | |
| Partnership Class | Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering | LNG carrier | British Sponsor | Isle of Man | Douglas, Isle of Man | 2019 | |