Lightering
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Lightering is the process of transferring oil cargo between vessels of largely different sizes and is undertaken as many port facilities cannot accept ocean-faring tankers of the size of oil transports.
Lightering occurs in the EEZ, generally between 20 and 60 nautical miles from the shore, and can be performed while the ships are at anchor, or whilst underway.
Fenders are used to separate the two ships moored to each other and prevent damage.
