OTM-7.6	Oil Tanker Manual OTM Cargo Loading	Doc No.: OTM 7.6 Revision: 01 Date: 15 Oct 2024 Issued by: DPA Approved by: MD

1. APPLICATION

This document applies to all personnel onboard fully managed Tanker vessels.

2. PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to specify cargo loading procedures.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

• Master
  • Overall, in-charge for arrival / departure / cargo documents.
  • Send at least one cargo plan per month to Marine Superintendent for random review, when applicable. Marine Superintendent should review the cargo plans on random basis while ensuring that at least one cargo plan of each vessel is reviewed every 3 months.
• Chief Officer – Overall in-charge of loading operation.
• Chief Engineer – Ensure operational readiness all machinery required for loading.
• Deck Officers – Follow loading plan instructions.
• Deck Crew – Assist in loading operations and tend to moorings & gangway.

4. LOADING

4.1 At loading berth

• Present notice of readiness to charterers, shipper’s representative, and terminal representative for acceptance.
• In some areas with lengthy river passages, local authorities may “accept” the NOR at different times, as per the local practice.
• In such cases, verify that this is acceptable to charterers/vessel cargo operators.
Free pratique
• Some charter parties have their Laytime calculations based on the Free Pratique granted time.
• If Free Pratique is not granted to the vessel within 6 hours, issue a Letter of Protest.
Pre-transfer / safety meeting
• Carry out safety meeting with the cargo / terminal representatives.

Note:

• Use TNK 06B for Pre-transfer / Safety meeting.
Loading plan
• Discuss with terminal representative.
• Test high level and overfill alarms, if permitted by the port authority/terminal.
• Cargo compartments need to be dry.
• Suitable for nominated cargo.
• Acceptable to cargo shippers / independent appointed Surveyors.
• Tank inspection report to be prepared and endorsed by all.

COUTION:

• In case of tank rejection, inform Company, charterers and owners.
• Vessel and terminal representative must complete ship/shore safety check-list before start of operations.

Note:

• Use TNK 06A Ship shore safety checklist.

Warning:

• Blending of bulk liquid cargo during sea passage is prohibited.
Co-mingling orders (in port)
• Before start, inform Company and owners for obtaining LOI for operation from charterers.
Lining up pipelines and valves
• Set deck and pump room lines before start of loading.
• Ensure all the cargo lines are well drained as per ship specific procedures before commencing shore hose connections.
• Where possible, load through loading drop valves and bypass the pump room.
• Firmly shut pump room / deck cargo-line valves not in use.
• Lash shut & seal sea suction valves, preferably sealed by the Surveyors.
• Keep offshore manifold valves closed & blanked, using all bolts.
• Set gauges to ensure offshore valves are not passing.
• Check for double valve segregation, where required.
• For tanks not needing heating, blank off both at inlet and outlet.

Note:

• Chief Officer must supervise below, cross verified by another officer:
• - Line / Valve setting for cargo, ballast and venting system.
• -Correct setting of heating system.

Note:

• After confirmation of line-up and before start of operation, record in the Port Log as “Cargo valve line-up checked and confirmed.”
Setting of venting system
• Refer OTM 7.4 Appendix 1 – Setting of Venting system.
Start of loading
• Once terminal is ready, after confirmation from Chief Mate, open Manifold valve.
• Once Loading commences, ensure that the cargo is flowing into correct tanks.
• Inspect for any leaks from loading arm connection or from any blanks at both side manifolds.
• Check over the side for any possible escape of oil through sea-valves, drain cocks and plugs.
• Inform terminal and increase loading rate to agreed rate after confirming initial checks.
• Restricted initial flow of oil to reduce any static charge accumulation as per COMPANY Form TNK 10A – Load Calculation Rate.
Monitoring of cargo tanks
• Check ullages of the loading tanks frequently and record every hour.
• Exercise special care when tanks are approaching the topping off range.
• Check cargo temperature and density at the start and end of loading.
• Check cargo temperature throughout the loading.
• Check bending moments and sheer forces every hour to ensure that they are within harbor condition limits.
• Monitor and record UKC periodically.
• Ensure loading rate does not exceed rate as per vessel TNK 10A – Load Calculation rate information.

Note:

• Use COMPANY form NAV 002B – Under Keel Clearance – Monitoring during Cargo

Operations Note:

• Include bending moment and sheer forces limits in Chief officer's written orders / cargo operations plan.

Coution:

• Avoid over-pressurization or ship and shore lines by shutting-off too many valves against the cargo flow.
When topping-off
• Keep all cargo high level and overfill alarms energized during cargo operations.
• Do not exceed cargo level for any tank more than 98% (Over-fill alarm set limit) of the tank volume.
• If the cargo level in any tank reaches the alarm point and the alarm is silenced or de-energized, the duty officer must be aware of the status of each alarm.
• Always allow flow into another tank first before shutting-off flow into the tank being topped-off.

Coution:

• The Officer in charge of topping-off tanks must give this operation his undivided attention and not perform any other duties.
• Prepare detailed topping-off procedures to avoid errors and possible oil spill.
• Ensure sufficient personnel are available on deck to complete the operation safely.
• Stagger topping-off of the tanks to reach their full levels in a controlled sequence.
• Whenever possible, complete topping-off in two stages; wing tanks followed by center tanks.
• Ensure that the centre tanks shut and the ullage is not changing.
• Open enough wing tanks for cargo flow as the centre tanks are shut.
• Normally it should be possible to maintain the full loading rate during this process.
• If in doubt request the terminal to reduce the rate accordingly.
• Before topping-off operations begin, notify the terminal in good time.
• Check hydraulic oil tank level for valve operations.
• Keep portable manual hydraulic valve pump for immediate use.
• Verify tank valves operations by opening / closing before topping off each tank.
• Mark final topping-off ullages at CCR control panel and on deck.
• Brief the personnel involved on final topping-off ullages.
• Calibrate remote ullaging systems before topping-off begins.
• Top up the tanks using portable MMC if permitted by nature of cargo and at the same time compare the ullages in the CCR.
• On vessel without Independent High Level alarms (95%) ensure topping-up is closely monitored and ensure one ullaging system alarm is set to 95% ullage.
• Make allowance for the height of the reference point, trim and list vapour lock / remote sensor positions.
• On completion of the topping-off of the wing tanks, open the centre tanks again and stagger to finish in the desired sequence.
• After completing topping-off of the wing tanks, crack open the centre tanks to relieve the pressure on the lines.
• Ensure smooth transition from wing to centre tanks to avoid pressure surges and high back pressures at the Terminal's pumps.
• Inform the Terminal well in advance for reducing rate and stopping.
• Keep an allowance in final tank ullages for any and delay between request to stop and actual stop.

Note:

• Refer ISGOTT 6 th edition chapter 11 for safety procedures to measure and sample inerted tanks.

COUTION:

• Do not load cargo tanks beyond 98% of tank capacity to:
• - Keep a safety margin during topping off.
• - Avoid overflow during voyage because of volume increase due to temperature variation.
Clearing ship's cargo pipelines

It is recommended that Inert Gas or Nitrogen is used for line clearing in case of flammable cargoes. Use of compressed air for clearing cargo hoses and loading arms involves the below hazards:

• Static charge generation.
• Compromising IG quality.
• Cargo spill on deck or in water through the connections used for line clearing.
• Over-pressurisation of tanks or pipelines.
• Oil mists coming from tank vents.
• Overflow of Cargo from PV or tank openings.

As far as possible, use of compressed air for line clearing of flammable cargoes should be avoided. In case the use of compressed air cannot be avoided due to design restrictions, (e.g. when evacuating the liquid column above a deep well pump), such operation should be carried out with caution after assessing all possible risks, taking into account specific operating procedures established for the particular ship.

Personnel safety must be adhered to by using appropriate protective safety gear for cargoes being handled. Potential pollution hazards must be clearly identified and informed to personnel carrying out line blowing. Ensure that the tank pressure is monitored closely and has sufficient ullage space to prevent tank overflow during the line clearing.

5. CARRIAGE OF CARGO IN NON-INERTED CONDITION

SOLAS implies that tankers may carry petroleum products having a flashpoint exceeding 60ºC (i.e., bitumen, lubricating oils, heavy fuel oils, high flashpoint jet fuels, and some diesel fuels, gas oils, and special boiling point liquids) without inert gas systems having to be fitted or, if fitted, without tanks containing such cargoes having to be kept in the inert condition.

However, when cargoes with a flashpoint exceeding 60ºC are carried at a cargo temperature higher than their flashpoint less 5ºC, the tanks should be maintained in an inert condition because of the danger that a flammable condition may occur.

Chemical cargoes can be carried in non-inerted condition if allowed by SOLAS regulations. Some of the conditions when a ship might carry cargo in non-inerted tanks are as below:

• Ship is not fitted with an IG System.
• The contents of IG system fitted on the vessel is not compatible with the cargo, and there is a risk of cargo getting contaminated with the Inert Gas.
• The cargo is having Oxygen dependent Inhibitor.

Following procedure must be followed while carrying flammable cargo in non-inerted conditions:

• Possibility of padding the cargo tanks after loading must be evaluated.
• Precautions mentioned in Oil Tanker Manual (OTM) and Chemical Tanker Manual (CTM) for reducing risks due to static charge generation must be exercised.
• Cargo operation should be carried in closed conditions only.
• Means of secondary venting system should be verified to be operating properly.

6. CARRIAGE OF CARGO IN VERY COLD CLIMATE

Refer to OTM 7.5 Carriage of cargo in cold climate and NAV -18 Ice or extreme cold conditions.

7. REFERENCED FORMS AND CHECKLISTS

• TNK 06B - Pre-Transfer / Safety Meeting
• TNK 010 – Cargo Operation Plan
• TNK 010A- Load Calculation Rate
• TNK 006A – Ship Shore Safety Checklist
• NAV 002B – Under Keel Clearance – Monitoring during Cargo Operations

8. APPENDICES

• OTM 7.4 Setting of venting system
• OTM 7.5 Carriage of cargo in cold climate