Military Sealift Command Tanker Market Forces and Cost Factors

摘要

As the United States Navy operating agency for ocean transportation, the Military Sealift Command (MSC) operates a fleet of tankers to supply the military petroleum needs of Defense Department units around the world. To fulfill Defense requirements, MSC maintains a controlled fleet of approximately thirty tankers that are either owned by the government or are chartered on a long-term basis from commercial shipping companies. This thesis attempts to analyze those market forces and cost factors that contribute to the charter rate structure that has such a significant impact on MSC operating costs. The market forces analyzed are the worldwide demand for oil, the location of refineries, advancing technology, and legislation. The tanker cost factors discussed are operating, voyage, and capital costs.