AFM 10/13

Publication of Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum,

Chemicals and Liquefied Gases, First Edition

Dear All
We are pleased to announce the recent publication of Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum,
Chemicals and Liquefied Gases, First Edition. Please find attached a copy of the Foreword for your
information.

Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum, Chemicals and Liquefied Gases can be purchased at
http://www.witherbyseamanship.com/ship-to-ship-transfer-guide-for-petroleum-chemicals-andliquefied-gases.html
You can obtain all OCIMF publications through our publisher Witherby Seamanship International
(www.witherbyseamanship.com). OCIMF members are entitled to a 10% discount on the price of
OCIMF publications. Please type the code OCIMF10 when you buy the book on-line or if ordering
by telephone please mention that you are a member of OCIMF.
Kind regards
Rebecca Harrison
Office Manager

Foreword
An industry guide recommending operational procedures for the safe ship to ship (STS) transfer of
crude oil and products was first published in 1975. A similar guide recommending procedures for the
STS transfer of liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) was published in 1980. Both publications have been
revised and updated over the years as experience has been gained and procedures have been
revised to reflect current best practices and equipment developments.
This Guide builds on the previous recommendations and also recognises the experience gained
within the industry of STS transfer operations, including the transfer of chemical (MARPOL Annex II)
and liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes. The Guide is intended to be applicable to transfers involving
all bulk liquid cargoes, but where specific recommendations relate to a particular cargo type these
are included in dedicated appendices. For transfers involving Annex I cargoes, the guidance supports
the requirements and recommendations developed by the International Maritime Organization
(IMO).
The Guide is aimed at providing advice for Masters, Marine Superintendents and others, such as STS
service providers and transfer organisers, who may be involved in the planning and execution of STS
operations. Particular attention is given to the effective planning of operations and aspects that
include risk assessment, ship compatibility and the effective management of workloads to minimise
fatigue.
The recommendations reflect the wide range of ship types, including barges, that may be involved in
transfer activities and include guidance for transfers undertaken both at sea and in port. The Guide
is intended to provide advice on the safety of operations wherever two ships are put alongside each
other to transfer bulk liquid cargo. Such activities may include traditional at sea STS transfers at
anchor or under way, in-port transfers with one ship at anchor, transfers when secured to buoys or
moored alongside and reverse lightering operations where a laden smaller ship manoeuvres
alongside a larger vessel.
Although emergency lightering operations involving a disabled or stranded ship are not specifically
addressed, many of the principles contained within this guide will apply.
The Guide does not cover STS transfer operations associated with offshore exploration and
production activities, where it can be expected that operators will enforce local regulations.
However, the Guide may be of benefit to operators of such facilities when they formulate their own
regulations.
The Guide contains recommendations on safety, minimum equipment levels and good operating
practices, but it is recognised that if more stringent international, national or local regulations apply,
they must take precedence.
This publication supersedes the fourth edition of the Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum)
published in 2005, the second edition of the Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Liquefied Gases) published
in 1995, and the LNG Ship to Ship Transfer Guidelines published in 2011.
The sponsoring organisations, Chemical Distribution Institute (CDI), International Chamber of
Shipping (ICS), Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and the Society of International
Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO), welcome suggestions for improvements that can be
considered for inclusion in future editions.
CDI: chemdist@cdim.org
ICS: info@ics-shipping.org
OCIMF: enquiries@ocimf.com
SIGTTO: secretariat@sigtto.org