Most of the times vessels call ports which are quite diverse in respect to their nationality and language. Undoubtedly, the deck officers are not always familiar with the ports they call or the culture of the place.
A healthy relationship between deck officer and port terminal representatives is the key to “hassle-free” cargo operations. Ship personnel must understand its importance in shipping procedures and take all necessary steps to ensure a good relationship with port personnel.
Chief Officer must keep a note of the following points in order to ensure a healthy relationship with shore people
A chief mate should always know the grades and quantity of the cargo available with the shore, along with the number of shore tanks and quantity from each tank along with its temperature and density. Density can be in ‘Air’ or ‘Vacuum’.
Recent addition to SOLAS states specifically that while loading or unloading the receiver must be provided with a copy of MSDS. Without an appropriate copy of MSDS the receiver can refuse to accept the cargo.
Keep a check on line displacement – Few terminals carry out a line displacement to establish the quantities in their lines. Big Tankers have line content (the amount of cargo retained in bottom lines of tankers which pass through various tanks), which needs to be included for calculating the final quantity of cargo transferred.
INCIDENT : A vessel was unloading jet fuel in Baltimore in the month of July. Due to shore delay, changing over of shore tanks took approximately 22 hour, during which vessel kept running her IG generators and Turbines .Had the terminal notified promptly, the vessel could have saved as much as 8 tons of diesel oil. Though there were no claims from charterers but these saving counts substantially in today’s competitive market.
Fix the rate/ pressure of cargo transfer – The rate or pressure of cargo transfer is an essential ingredient of ship – shore safety meeting. The agreed rate or pressure, both maximum and minimum is to be agreed upon and never to be exceeded by both ship as well as shore. Most terminals have flow meters/pressure gauges which determine instantaneous rates and almost all loadicator programs (a program used to calculate various stability parameters of ship) installed onboard tankers nowadays can calculate instantaneous rate/pressure as well.
Incidences
While loading Heavy Fuel Oil at Vopak Terminal, Singapore a vessel accidentally closed her tank valves. The terminal was loading the vessel using a booster pump which tripped due to an excessive back pressure of 5 kg. The maximum back pressure shore pump could withstand was 3.0 kg, same was mentioned in the ship/shore agreement too. The pump tripped and some parts were damaged. The delay to repair and reset the pump was claimed from the vessel, a fine was imposed too for not following ship/shore agreement and vessel was blacklisted.
Also, Reliance terminal in Sikka, Gujarat, India is provided with auto closing valves if the back pressure exceeds a set limit. To resume the operation the valve has to be resettled. This leads to delays on vessel’s behalf and can cost dearly to owners and charterers as well.
Most of the terminal representatives are experienced professionals. However keeping a courteous and honest professional approach towards them is an added advantage for the ship staff when their co operation is much required.
More Important Points to Consider
OBQ (On-board quantity) Surveys are carried out before a vessel is reported ready to load cargo. The surveyor has to determine that Cargo tanks are dry and clean and then issue a NIL ROB (Remaining on board certificate along with a Dry tank certificate. While carrying out the survey all cargo line valves should be in open position.
The DRY tank and NIL ROB certificate are very important to obtain for a vessel from commercial aspect. If not found dry then the chief mate should be aware of appropriate documentation or remarks.
E.g. Most of the surveyors in USA, UK and European ports refuse to sign a Clean Tank Certificate. They rather prefer to sign a Dry Tank Certificate.
Means to establish a dry tank include use of a dipping rod for checking any sediment at the bottom. Theoretically a tank should be dipped at three locations. If any residues are found, whether liquid or non liquid, the amount of liquid residues can be established using the wedge formula calculation. The temperature of residue too must be measured. Ship’s trim and list should be ascertained while making these calculations.
A mate should never try to minimize ROB during survey as it will consequently increase the Cargo quantity after loading. This may lead to a “Shortage of Cargo “claim at discharge port. Chief Officer should always observe the procedure for measuring ROB by the surveyor. The same can be logged down if necessary by the ship’s staff.
In case of discrepancies between ship’s figure and shore figure despite following all prescribed procedures, the vessel should initiate owners and charterers recommended measures to indemnify them against any unwanted claims.
