In 1980 there were more than 650 chemical tankers with a tonnage of about 2.2 million grt in service.
Ngomnyaka ka1980 kwakukho iitanki ezingaphezulu kwamakhulu amathandathu anamashumi amahlanu zezimuncu ezinomthamo wenqanawa -oyilenganiswe ngeetoni ezimalunga nezigidi ezibini ezinesiqingatha ukusebenza.