8.

0 PREPARATION FOR DISCHARGE AND DISCHARGING

8.1 REFERENCE PUBLICATIONS

The following reference publications are to be read in conjunction with this section.

Publication

International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT)

Ship’s “Procedure and Arrangements Manual” (Approved by Class)
Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk
Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum)
ICS CTSG
P and A Manual

8.2 COMPANY FORMS

The following Company Forms are to be used in conjunction with this section:

Company Form No Title

MAR 02 Port Log
MAR 03 Notice of Readiness
MAR 05 Dead freight Statement
MAR 06a Letter of Protest - Difference Between Ship & Shore
Figures
MAR 06b Letter of Protest – General
MAR 08 Cargo Loading and Discharge Plan
TNK 01 Pre arrival and commencement of cargo operations
checklist
TNK 06 Ullage Report
TNK 12 Dry Receipt
TNK 13 Certificate of Slops
TNK 15 Vessel Experience Factor (Load)
TNK 18 Ship / Shore Checklist
CHEM 01 Considerations for Stowage Plan
CHEM 03 Chemical & Physical Properties Report
CHEM 04 Pressure & 02 Log
CHEM 06 Cargo Sample Log
CHEM 10 Wall Washing Test Records

8.3 PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This section describes measures to be taken immediately before discharge and during
discharging operations and special duties as well as procedures for the discharge of certain
cargoes. Instructions to discharge cargo must only be accepted from the Management Office or
Charterers.
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 Instructions received from parties other than the above must be checked and confirmed with
the Company or Charterers.

Prior discharging the relevant tanks and associated discharging equipment must be
checked for technical readiness.

8.4 TECHNICAL READINESS

The following measures have to be taken prior to discharging operations commencing,
with particular attention being paid when the cargo is highly toxic, flammable or both:

 Ensure Cargo Temperature(s) correct (High Viscosity and solidifying substances)

Continue/reduce/close tank heating on relevant tanks

 Switch on High – Level alarms and test

 Prepare the Level gauging system

 Check if P/V valves are working and PV line clear.

 Prepare the vapour return line-if required.

 Prepare manifold, drip tray and cargo line system.

 Manifold - reducer-ASA/Din

 Prepare ballasting system

 Prepare / check jumper hoses or fixed connections.

 Check Nitrogen system

 Check if all is ready for closed discharging

 Set Decontamination shower and eye-wash in operational position

 Check if relevant instruments are ready for use.

 Prepare / post cargo description

 Prepare discharge plan

 It is essential that the accommodation is kept under positive pressure to prevent
the entry of Hydrocarbon Vapours – the Operation of sanitary and galley extraction
fans will cause a vacuum and therefore the air conditioning system intakes must not be
kept fully closed. The accommodation air conditioning system should be maintained on
partial recirculation during cargo operation.

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  Ensure that all gas detection equipment (both fixed and portable) is in
operation and calibrated with the required gases. It may, in some circumstances
when loading / discharging toxic / flammable cargoes, be necessary to organise gas
checks of some deck areas at regular intervals with portable gas detection
equipment. Check that sufficient Toxic gas detectors are on board

 Key cargo instrumentation, such as temperature, pressure gauges and portable

gauging equipment in use, are calibrated as applicable.

 Ensure that cargo tank vent systems are drained and empty

 Ensure that cargo line systems are free from blockage and cargo

 Check for any solidification / sedimentation in cargo tanks (especially with Veg
Oil and animal oils.

 Test cargo pumps and purge cofferdams of submerged cargo Pumps

 PPE & Antidotes ready
 Squeezing gears & lights for vegetable oil ready
 Tank cleaning equipment & gear ready

8.5 PRE OPERATION MEETING

Chief Officer is to carry out briefing of all personnel involved in the cargo operations prior to
any cargo operations. Opportunity is to be taken to clarify that all personnel involved full
understand their duties during the forthcoming cargo operation.

In the briefing, as a minimum, following is to be discussed in detail:

 The planned operations in the port (Eg: Discharging, Tank Cleaning, Bunkering,
Stores / provisions, FW, inspections, crew change etc.)

 Cargo Operation Plan & Manifold arrangement

 Cargo Specific Hazards (Including health hazards) and Action to be taken in case of
emergency. Cargo information sheets (MSDS) should be available.

 PPE Requirement

 Antidotes (if any) for the cargo and method of application

 The safety and pollution prevention equipment to be available and ready for use
throughout the operation.

 Terminal Information (mooring plan, which side alongside, ship / shore gangway,
manifold connection size & No’s, vapour hose, security level, any other safety
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 information etc.)

8.6 ULLAGING AND SAMPLING

The cargo surveyor will check together with the chief-officer the ullages of the tanks
to be discharged. Cargo sampling by the surveyor must be conducted in presence of an officer.

The method used for calculating specific density at the disport must be the same as the method
used in the load port.

When sampling, ensure the sampling cans, bottles, ropes and closed sampler are thoroughly
cleaned, prior sampling.

8.7 PRE-DISCHARGE MEETING

8.7.1 General

This procedure describes the main points to be discussed on arrival before discharging
operations can start.

The complexity of discharging operations on chemical tankers makes it necessary to plan all
activities in which vessel and terminal are involved. Parties:
 Terminal Loading master
 Vessel Master/Chief Officer
 Expert Surveyor.

If for any reason it is assumed that any party is planning to file a claim of any kind against the
vessel the cargo samples from the loading port are to be retained on board. They may only be
given to persons stipulated after consultation with the management office.

8.7.2 Vessel –terminal agreements

The Master/Chief Officer should present the Notice of Readiness (NOR) to the loading master
for his signature. The loading master is the addressee for all protests in connection with the
discharging. The Chief-Officer and loading master will discuss the discharge programme.

All relevant items, in the ‘Ship/Shore Safety Checklist’, as provided by the terminal, are to be
completed by the Terminal Representative and the Chief Officer. If no safety checklist is
provided by the terminal, or it is not to the same standard as that contained within ISGOTT,
TNK 18 must be used. After agreeing, both must sign. Occasionally, the loading master will ask
for the C.O.F. and/or hose certificates. Any defect to the cargo pumps requiring use of portable
pump to be discussed.

For chemicals which, according to MARPOL Annex II, are subject to the prewash
obligation the washing programme and slop disposal are to be agreed upon and Port MARPOL

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 Inspector notified. Discharging sequence and grades to be discharged agreed.

8.7.3 Vessel - Surveyor agreements

The surveyor has to discuss with the Chief Officer the discharging and sampling
programme, especially if the cargo is kept under a nitrogen blanket.

The surveyor receives the cargo samples destined for the receiver from the port of
loading in exchange for a receipt.

8.8 CLOSED UNLOADING OPERATIONS

8.8.1 General

This procedure describes the requirements for closed unloading operations.

The Master has overall responsibility for compliance with closed unloading

procedures. Closed loading has to be carried out as a requirement of the:

 IBC/BCH Code. The IBC-code does not use the term ‘closed unloading’ explicitly
but mentions controlled venting and open/restricted/closed gauging.
 Company procedure
 Contractual obligations
 Port/ National requirements

8.8.2 Company Policy

Vessels shall at all times carry out closed unloading procedures for all cargoes except when
cargo system is defective and approved by Management Office and agreed by Terminal.

Closed discharging means discharging with securely closed ullage, sounding and sighting
ports. Additionally the venting must be controlled. For gauging e.g. ullaging, sounding closed
devices must be used. The level alarm systems must be operated during the entire closed
cargo operation.

Closed cargo operations must be stopped as soon as any essential system for safe loading or
discharging becomes inoperative. Sampling will be by closed sampler where possible.

8.8.3 Gauging, sounding and sampling

A closed gauging device penetrates the cargo tank, but is part of a closed system and
prevents the cargo or its vapour being released. Examples are the float-type systems, radar
systems, electronic probe, magnetic probe and protected sight-glass.

For sampling and sounding the Dovianus or Hermetic portable gauging and sampling systems
may

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 be used. It is important that sufficient of these devices are carried onboard and maintained in a
fully operational and certified calibrated condition.

Vapour locks, where fitted, are to be calibrated and certified by a recognised cargo
inspection company which will also approve the datum level corrections including list and trim
corrections for tank volumes. The approval certificate is to be readily available during cargo
surveys.

8.8.4 Cargo tank venting

Controlled venting must be established if closed cargo operations are required. A
controlled tank venting system is a system with pressure and vacuum-relief valves (P/V-
valve) fitted on each tank in order to limit the pressure or vacuum in the tank. The P/V valve
should operate in such a manner that neither pressure nor vacuum is created in the cargo
tank during cargo operations that exceed the tank design parameters.
Continuously monitor the secondary venting system onboard to prevent damage from under
pressurization.

8.8.5 Vapour return

Vapour return should be used in accordance with local, terminal or customer’s requirements.
VECS manual to be complied with. Vapour returned to be used as per IBC code.

8.8.6 Customers’ requirements

Specific closed cargo operations may be required by the customer under the Charter Party or
Contract of Affreightment (COA). The management office will inform the Master when such
requirements exit.

8.9 DISCHARGE

8.9.1 General

The general precautions in section 3 are to be observed prior to and during

discharge. Particular attention should be paid to ship’s cargo discharge equipment, such as
pump, pump room ventilation etc. The following precautions should be observed:

A pre-discharge conference with responsible terminal personnel which should include

 Characteristics of cargoes to be discharged

 Sequence of cargoes to be discharge
 Temperature of cargoes to be discharged
 Quantities of cargoes to be discharged
 Pumping rates and pressure
 Emergency shutdown procedure
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  Mode of communications

 Careful monitoring of discharge temperature to ensure cargoes are not damaged due to
over heating or lack of heat and to comply with MARPOL Annex II requirements for
category Y high viscosity and solidifying cargoes.

Prior commencing discharge the responsible officer must ensure that the entire discharge
system, including pumps and vents, are secured and ready.

After completion of discharge, including stripping and line clearing to shore (never allow
shore to drain lines and hoses back into a ship tank) and hoses are disconnected. Personnel
engaged in hose disconnection must wear proper personal protective equipment.

All tank openings to be closed and secured.

8.9.2 Discharging agreements

Prior to discharge the ship / shore checklist has to be completed by the chief officer and the
loading master. Thereafter they have to agree on the discharge plan. This discharge plan must
be completed in writing and approved by the Master.

As a minimum the discharge plan must at least contain the following information:

 Manifold connection to be used for each cargo

 Which tanks are to be discharged
 Maximum discharge rate and/or back-pressure

 Discharge sequence and procedure for changing grades

The chief officer and the Loading Master shall both sign the discharge plan. Should
the loading master refuse to sign, a letter of protest must be issued. The loading master will
receive one copy of the discharging plan.

a) Commencement and execution of the discharge

Before commencement of discharge the following to be carried out:

 Cargo pump emergency stop trips are to be tested.

 The Chief Officer is once again to personally check that the correct line up of valves has
been made and that all required isolations by spools or spectacles are made.

Discharge should start at slow speed. During this phase the cargo line(s) and off shore manifold
should be examined for signs of any leakage.

After confirmation from shore the discharge rate can be increased up to the agreed maximum
or maximum backpressure.
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 When several tanks containing the same cargo are connected i.e. by jumper hoses
the risk of causing an overflow due to wrong setting of the valves is increased. In this case
the level of the other connected tanks should be continuously monitored. Level alarms
must be switched on.

The officer on duty must be available throughout the cargo operation. One watchman it to be
on deck in the vicinity of the manifold throughout the entire operation in order that any
potential risk is identified immediately and the required steps are taken to promptly control or
remedy the risks, such as but not limited to informing the officer on duty etc.

The discharge must be conducted in accordance with the agreement made between the Chief
Officer and the Loading master as well as additional instructions / standing orders
given by the Chief Officer.

8.9.3 Pumproom precautions – Cargo and Ballast Pump rooms

During the discharge the following, must be checked and complied with:-

 Pumproom ventilation to be in operation throughout the cargo and tank cleaning

operations.

 The pumproom(s) is to be checked for leaks at least hourly during the discharge. In
order to limit and minimise personal exposure to possible toxic hazards,
personnel entering pumprooms for these routine hourly inspections are to be rotated.
Personnel entering pumprooms are to make use of personal gas monitoring
equipment provided on board.

 The pumproom(s) is to be monitored for hydrocarbons and other possible toxic

hazards.

8.10 MEASURES TO BE TAKEN FOR SPECIAL CARGOES

8.10.1 Ballast and heated cargoes

The ballast tanks underneath a cargo tank with heated cargo should not be used for ballast
and trimming purposes until the tank has been discharged entirely, otherwise the
cargo temperature above the tank floor may drop below the melting point before
discharging is completed. This may lead to solidification of the cargo on the tank floor and
pump well, which increases the amount of residue as well as increasing cleaning. In addition,
solidified or high viscosity cargoes of MARPOL Cat Y will require prewash in this situation.

8.10.2 Discharging cargoes under nitrogen cover

Many cargoes carried under nitrogen cover must be discharged using vapour-return-lines.
The tank pressure must be in excess of atmospheric pressure throughout the whole
discharge period to prevent ingress of air i.e. oxygen.

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8.10.3 Discharge of high viscosity products

Prior to the discharge of highly viscous vegetable oils, agreement must be reached with the
terminal as to whether the cargo can be pushed towards the pump well so as to
keep the residue in the tank as low as possible.

8.10.4 Discharge of cargoes with high melting points

Prior to discharge of cargoes with high melting points it is advisable to arrange for
“Tank Dry” acceptance on a tank by tank basis with the surveyor. Once a tank has been
accepted as being dry a small amount of water can be taken in to wash the pump.

8.10.5 Efficient stripping in accordance with P&A Manual

Each tank should be stripped in accordance with the procedure as described in the P&A
Manual in order to minimise the residues. It is important that list and trim and time for
stripping comply with the vessel P and A manual.

The stripping procedure described in the cargo system instruction manuals are to be followed.

On vessels fitted with hydraulic systems and submerged pumps, stripping is achieved with
the cargo pumps. Final draining of the tanks is accomplished by careful control of the cargo
pump. The pump discharge line is cleared by purging the pump and discharge line
with inert gas in the form of nitrogen. Air may be used with certain cargoes of a non
volatile nature and which are not static accumulator cargoes. This procedure is described in
the pump instruction manual.

Make sure that the cargo residues in the hose connection between ship and shore are not
blown back into the ship’s cargo lines.

8.10.6 Before loading arm disconnection

Before disconnecting the loading arm from the manifold, the Master must be sure that the
following checks have been carried out:

 The line and the manifold reducer have been blown and they are empty and drained

 The drain valve has been opened to drain any small residues remaining in the
manifold connection.

 Personnel wear appropriate PPE

8.10.7 Prewash according to MARPOL Annex II

Following discharge of Category ‘X’ substances or highly viscous or solidifying
Category ‘Y’ substances or breakdown of the vessel pumping or stripping system as
described in P and A manual, the tanks previously containing this cargo should be prewashed
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 before the vessel leaves port in accordance with the P&A Manual. The prewash slops
must be disposed of in the port of discharge. A receipt for the disposed slops must be
received and appropriate entries must be made
in the cargo log and in the cargo record book. MARPOL Inspector to endorse cargo record
book after each prewash.

If there is any doubt or ambiguity as to the Pollution Category of the cargo,

the Company must be contacted immediately before any operations commence for
guidance and further instructions.

In special cases when ship is exempt from prewash and unloading of washings to reception
facilities.

At the request of the ship’s master, the Government of the receiving party may exempt the
ship from prewash of the tanks and unloading of washings to reception facilities provided that
it is satisfied that:

 The unloaded tank is to be reloaded with the same substance or another substance
compatible with the previous one and that the tank will not be washed or ballasted
prior to reloading; or

 The unloaded tank is neither washed nor ballasted at sea. The prewash in accordance
with the P & A Manual shall be carried out at another port, provided that it has been
confirmed in writing that a reception facility at that port is available and is adequate for
such a purpose; or

 The cargo residues will be removed by a ventilation procedure approved by the

Administration in accordance with the P & A Manual

Exemptions referred in this cases must be endorsed by Government surveyor in the

cargo record book.

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