Crude Oil Loading / Unloading

PREPARATION FOR CARGO TRANSFER

The Chief Officer shall prepare a detailed

cargo loading / unloading plan prior
arrival at a port with the ships stability
and stress conditions, crude oil wash
and ballast operations taken into account
The loading / unloading plan shall be
posted in the CCR and distributed to and
signed by all personnel directly involved
in the cargo operation

PREPARATION FOR CARGO TRANSFER

Name of each grade of crude oil to be

loaded and the quantity
Anticipated specific gravity and loading /
unloading temperature of each grade of
cargo
Identify the tank each grade will be loaded
into / unloaded from

PREPARATION FOR CARGO TRANSFER

The pipeline system and loading path for each grade,
including setting of valves, identified by their unique
identification numbers
Agree manifold number and size of connections
Sequence of loading of cargo grades and tanks
Sequence of ballasting / de-ballasting
Inert Gas operations

PREPARATION FOR CARGO TRANSFER

Final ullage for each cargo tank

Stand-by time required by the terminal for
reducing flow rate or stopping the cargo
loading / unloadin
Anticipated departure draft
Bunkers and ballast to be on board at departure

PREPARATION FOR CARGO TRANSFER

Identification of all valves to be sealed

closed before, during and / or after
loading
Maximum flow rates to be allowed and
flow rates expected with the terminal

PREPARATION FOR CARGO TRANSFER

Flow rate to be used for topping off tanks

Tank stripping procedures
COW procedures
Special precautions with respect to moorings
Equipment required, radios, ullage tapes, etc.

PREPARATION FOR CARGO TRANSFER

Points in the loading when the chief officer is to

be called or extra manning is required
Reference to standing orders for cargo
operations
Deck Watch and Personnel Arrangement
Requirement that shore terminal regulations be
read and signed by each cargo watch officer

Preparations for H2S cargo

When the vessel is ordered to load sour

crudes, the master must ensure that:
Vapour control system, including
automatic tapes and vent lines, is
carefully inspected
Self contained breathing apparatus is
checked for condition and readiness

Preparations for H2S cargo

Pumproom lines, fittings and
connections are checked for tightness
and any necessary repairs are completed
before loading
Portable H2S detector is in good
operating condition. If sampling tube
testers are used, ensure that an adequate
supply of test tubes are on board

PREPARATION FOR PRODUCT TRANSFER

Ship & shore safety check list

Pre-transfer meeting
Tank inspection
Entry into encloses spaces

PRE-TRANSFER AND TRANSFER GOLDEN RULES

All personnel are trained and certified in oil transfer

procedures
Are constantly alert during the transfer operation
Maintain communication with vessel and terminal
Identify and correct problems early
Are prepared to stop the transfer operation if an unsafe
condition is detected

THE SHIP/SHORE SAFETY CHECKLIST

Covers the following basic
items:

Mooring

Access

Communications

Loading, unloading, bunkering and ballasting

Emergency procedures

Pollution prevention

SUMMARY OF SAFETY CHECK KEY STEPS

Safety checks on boards the vessel
Pre-transfer meeting
Transfer operations
Vessel departure

ATTENDEES AT PRE-TRANSFER MEETING

Shore personnel:

Berth operator / Loading Master

Cargo Surveyor
Chief Officer

INFORMATION EXCHANGED AT THE PRETRANSFER MEETING

Safety and security of vessels

Methods of communication

Emergency procedures

Hose and loading arm operation

COW procedures

Limitations-maximum draft, Environmental Mooring Limit etc.

INFORMATION EXCHANGED AT THE PRETRANSFER MEETING continued

Arrangements for slops/ballast/bunker fuel

Cargo details

Product characteristics

Densities / temperatures

Transfer plans and procedures

Quantities and intended distribution on board

Handling requirements and MSDS

Other grades on board from other terminals

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR CARGO SURVEY

Ensure that there are no ignition sources nearby

Obtain data on tank condition from vessel staff

Involve vessel staff in inspection

Do not inhale any gas or vapour

Stand crosswind and wear appropriate PPE

Check material data sheets

Be aware that certain tank coating may release vapours

OPERATING PROCEDURES
Main Categories
Pre - checks
Connection
Cargo Transfer
Disconnection

OPERATING PROCEDURES
Pre - checks

Manifold connection criteria

Loading arm / cargo hose empty

Ships personnel aware of loading arm / cargo hose

limitations

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST STATIC ELECTRICITY

When loading a static accumulator, take the following precautions
to reduce static accumulation and avois sparking:

Limit the initial inflow rate to 1 metre/second

Limit the maximum flow rate in the line entering the tank to:
6.3 m/s (20 ft/s) for tanks less than 38 m3
11 m/s (35 ft/s) for tanks larger than 38 m3

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST STATIC ELECTRICITY

Avoid top or splash loading

Allow at least 30 minutes relaxation time before introducing

metal tapes, sample cans or dip rods into tanks - these
must be grounded

Never use synthetic fibre for sampling

Avoid air blowing into tanks

Exercise extreme caution when switching between tanks

PRESSURE SURGES
A pressure surge is a sudden increase in pressure in a pipe or
hose which is caused by an abrupt change in liquid flow rate
Caused by:- closing a valve too quickly
- shutting off against a running pump
- starting suddenly
Consequences- Burst hose or damaged pipework

PRESSURE SURGES continued

Prevent by:
Good valve maintenance and good communication between
ship and shore personnel
Ensuring that supplying pumps are always shut down when
emergency system trip valves closed

CARGO OPERATION - INITIAL

Open valves in the receiving line fully

Open one manifold valve

Start vessel pumps at low speed while the following checks

are performed:

Ensure that product is flowing through opened line

Check manifold sample to confirm correct product

Check flow established to correct ship / shore tank

Check for leaks on vessel and shore

DURING CARGO OPERATION

Ensure that allowable working pressure in the reiceiving system

is not exceeded

Check flow rates at ship and inshore tank

As a safety precaution and to avoid cavitation in hard arm, check

that velocity of product flow in pipeline is below specified limit:
- less than 6 metres/second for tanks less than 38m3
- less than 9-11 meters/second for tanks greater than 38 m 3

DURING CARGO OPERATION

Following items shall be recorded in Tanker Cargo Log Book

hourly:

Loading Quantity (Rate) to compare it with that of the terminal

side

Regular ship/shore comparisons of loaded cargo figures shall

be carried out and changes in difference to be investigated /
reported.

Monitor of levels in tanks not being discharged

DURING CARGO OPERATION

Stress and Stability of the vessel

Tank pressure
If the Duty Deck Officer cannot account for the variation
of rate then he must call the Chief Officer immediately.
Manifold Pressure / Temperature,
Draft & Trim

COMPLETION OF CARGO OPERATIONS

Notify Berth Operator that transfer is complete

Berth Operator instructs vessel to shut down
pumping system
Ensure that shore and berth manifold valves are
closed

COMPLETION OF CARGO OPERATIONS

Before disconnecting loading arm

Check pumped product tanks are empty
Check no other tanks contain product

Inspect ballast tanks, coffer dams, etc.

Before the cargo hoses are disconnected, the

ships figures must be calculated in order to check

that the correct quantity of cargo has been loaded

COMPLETION OF CARGO OPERATIONS

BERTH OPERATOR or INDEPENDENT CARGO SURVEYOR:

Gauges each tank

Calculates cargo loaded / unloaded

Checks for water

Takes temperature readings

Checks empty ballast tanks, etc.

DISCONNECTING LOADING ARM / CARGO HOSE FROM THE

SHIP

1. Drain the arm of remaining product

2. Check that draining is complete by opening the drain
valve on the bottom of the triple swivel joint unless the arm /
hose has contained toxic or hazardous substances
3. If the arm / hose has contained hazardous material refer to
local procedures for checking drainage completeness
4. Disconnect the arm / hose
5. Install a blank on the manifold

THINGS TO MONITOR
Vessel position
Environment
Mooring Line Loads

The following reference publications

provide useful information
SOLAS (latest consolidated version)
MARPOL 73/78 (latest consolidated version)
International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Manuals
(ISGOTT)
Procedure and Arrangements Manual (Approved by Class)
Certificate of Class (tank strength for high density
cargoes)
Ships VEC System Operating Manual (Approved by
Class)
Guide to Port Entry
Ship to Ship Transfer Guide

The following reference publications

provide useful information

Safety in Oil Tankers

IMDG Code
Supplement to IMDG Code (Including MFAG and Ems)
SOPEP / SMPEP
Clean Seas Guide for Oil Tankers
Tank Coating Manufacturers Compatibility Lists
Prevention of Oil Spillage through Cargo Pumproom
Sea Valves
MSDS for particular cargo carried
Tank Cleaning Guide
API publications