We’ve always considered the UK P&I Club one of the better sources of practical information when it comes to the nitty-gritty of shipping. The Club, after all, is the one that coughs up the money should problems arise and a cargo claim is lodged. Now comes its newly published “Tanker Contamination Claims Checklist” with a compilation of indispensable tips on how to identify the main causes of cargo contamination – which can occur on board the tanker and in the lines and tanks ashore.
The 12-page Checklist covers some key points to consider in seven areas, from pre-loading to discharge and sampling. It starts off with how to determine whether the ship is suitable for the cargo to be loaded:
- Can the different grades of cargo be arranged to maintain the degree of separation required? (All chemicals must be separated by positive segregation.)
- Can the ship maintain the required cargo carriage and discharge temperature(s)?
- Is the tank coating suitable for the nominated cargo? (Some cargoes can permanently damage certain coatings, others make coatings soft for a while, during which time the range of cargoes they can tolerate is restricted.)
- If applicable, is the cargo tank coating in good condition?
- Have the cargo tanks and lines been suitably prepared to load the nominated cargo(es)? If applicable, have previous cargo vapours been reduced to less than 2% by volume so that potential flashpoint contamination of nominated cargoes is eliminated?
- With reference to the quality of multiple oil products loaded, can two-valve segregation on the liquid side be maintained throughout the voyage? (Again, chemicals must be carried under positive segregation.)
- Can the vapour side of each oil product parcel (inert gas and vapour relief systems) be segregated throughout the entire voyage?
The Checklist is replete with useful reminders, such as: 1) Thorough checks also need to be taken when preparing the cargo plan and checking the systems; 2) Preparing the cargo plan is primarily concerned with avoiding contamination in tanks, pipelines, pumps and valves and includes issues created by vapours and heat sources; 3) Checking systems is ensuring that tanks and pipelines are clean – some cargoes, even water, can be a contaminant – and that coatings are sound and fit for purpose, and testing gaskets and glands for leaks; and 4) It is essential to ensure beforehand that enclosed spaces are safe to enter (awareness of this risk, says the Club, is now high but confined spaces are still a major cause of deaths at sea.
The Checklist goes on to discuss discharge and loading. It underscores the importance of ship and terminal personnel working harmoniously to ensure that both parties fully understand each other in terms of procedures covering normal operations as well as emergencies. This is followed by a detailed section (‘Working with the cargo inspector’) on the process of taking and keeping samples. In the closing section “General Comments”, the Club notes that a leading firm of cargo surveyors had reported that approximately 40% of perceived shipboard contamination problems are, on investigation, found to be shore-related.
Overall, this is one splendid reference for all those involved in tanker crew training. A copy of the “Tanker Contamination Claims Checklist” in PDF format can be downloaded from here. Readers may also want to view the related “Tanker Matters” series on YouTube. ~Barista Uno
