Edible fats and oils from vegetable, animal and marine sources have been traded
and shipped for thousands of years, as they form an important part of the human
diet. Increasing global food trade has meant that the geographical source of these
commodities has been broadening steadily. The availability of sea-going vessels
reserved for the transport of foodstuffs is insufficient to serve the continuing trade
in oils and fats intended for or likely to be used for human consumption. It is also
impractical to expect sea-going bulk tankers to return empty to the original loading
ports upon delivery of their cargo of fats and oils.