TGM 2.6.

3 Cargo loading
Valid for: Revision: 2 Date 2018-08-15
:
Vessel Management – Business Unit
Author: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Tanker Department Senior Manager, Tanker COO Tanker
Operations

Contents
1 Application........................................................................................................ 1
2 Purpose............................................................................................................. 1
3 Responsibilities.................................................................................................. 1
4 Loading.............................................................................................................. 2
4.1 At Loading berth...................................................................................... 2
5 Carriage of Cargo in Non-Inerted Condition.......................................................5
6 Carriage of cargo in very cold climate...............................................................6
7 Referenced forms and checklists.......................................................................6
8 Appendices........................................................................................................ 6

1 APPLICATION
This document applies to all personnel onboard fully managed Tanker vessels.

2 PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to specify cargo loading procedures.

3 RESPONSIBILITIES
 Master
o Overall in-charge for arrival / departure / cargo documents.
o Send at least one cargo plan per month to Marine Superintendent for
review, when applicable.
 Chief Officer – Overall in-charge of loading operation.
 Chief Engineer – Ensure operational readiness all machinery required for
loading.
 Deck officers – Follow loading plan instructions.
 Deck Crew – Assist in loading operations and tend to moorings & gangway.

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4 LOADING
4.1 At Loading berth
 Present notice of readiness to charterers, shipper’s representative, and
terminal representative for acceptance.
 In some areas with lengthy river passages, local authorities may “accept” the
NOR at different times, as per the local practice.
 In such cases, verify that this is acceptable to charterers/vessel cargo
operators.
 Free pratique
o Some charter parties have their Laytime calculations based on the Free
Pratique granted time.
o If Free Pratique is not granted to the vessel within 6 hours, issue a
Letter of Protest.
 Pre-transfer / safety meeting – Carry out safety meeting with the cargo /
terminal representatives.

Note:
Use TSM form 010 for Pre-transfer / Safety meeting

 Loading plan – Discuss with terminal representative

Note:
Use TSM form 014 for loading plan

 Test high level and overfill alarms.

 Cargo compartments need to be
 Dry
 Suitable for nominated cargo
 Acceptable to cargo shippers / independent appointed Surveyors.
 Tank inspection report to be prepared and endorsed by all.

Caution:
In case of tank rejection, inform Thome, charterers and owners.

 Vessel and terminal representative must complete ship/shore safety check-

list before start of operations.

Note:
Use TSM form 013 – Ship shore safety checklist

Warning:
Blending of bulk liquid cargo during sea passage is prohibited.

 Co-mingling orders (in port)

o Before start, inform Thome and owners for obtaining LOI for operation
from charterers.
 Lining up pipelines and valves

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 o Set deck and pump room lines before start of loading.
o Ensure all the cargo lines are well drained as per ship specific
procedures before commencing shore hose connections.
o Where possible, load through loading drop valves and bypass the pump
room.
o Firmly shut pump room / deck cargo-line valves not in use.
o Lash shut & seal sea suction valves, preferably sealed by the
Surveyors.
o Keep offshore manifold valves closed & blanked, using all bolts.
o Set gauges to ensure offshore valves are not passing.
o Check for double valve segregation, where required.
o For tanks not needing heating, blank off both at inlet and outlet.

Note:
Chief Officer must supervise below, cross verified by another officer:
- Line / Valve setting for cargo, ballast and venting system.
-Correct setting of heating system.

Note:
After confirmation of line-up and before start of operation, record in the Port Log as
“Cargo valve line-up checked and confirmed.”

Setting of venting system

o Refer TGM 2.6.3 Appendix 1 – Setting of Venting system
 Start of loading
o Once terminal is ready, after confirmation from Chief Mate, open
Manifold valve.
o Once Loading commences, ensure that the cargo is flowing into correct
tanks.
o Inspect for any leaks form loading arm connection or from any blanks at
both side manifolds.
o Check over the side for any possible escape of oil through sea-valves,
drain cocks and plugs.
o Inform terminal and increase loading rate to agreed rate after
confirming initial checks.
o Restricted initial flow of oil to reduce any static charge accumulation.
 Monitoring of cargo tanks
o Check ullages of the loading tanks frequently and record every hour.
o Exercise special care to when tanks are approaching the topping off
range.
o Check cargo temperature and density at the start and end of loading.
o Check cargo temperature throughout the loading.

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 o Check bending moments and sheer forces every hour to ensure that
they are within harbor condition limits.
o Monitor and record UKC periodically.

Note:
Use TSM form 002B – Under Keel Clearance – Monitoring during Cargo Operations
Note:
Include bending moment and sheer forces limits in Chief officer's written orders /
cargo operations plan.

Caution:
Avoid over-pressurization or ship and shore lines by shutting-off too many valves
against the cargo flow.

 When topping-off
o Keep all cargo high level and overfill alarms energized during cargo
operations.
o Do not exceed cargo level for any tank more than 98% (Over-fill alarm
set limit) of the tank volume.
o If the cargo level in any tank reaches the alarm point and the alarm
silenced or de-energized, the duty officer must be aware of the status
of each alarm.
o Always allow flow into another tank first before shutting-off flow into
the tank being topped-off.

Caution:
The Officer in charge of topping-off tanks must give this operation his undivided
attention and not perform any other duties.

o Prepare detailed topping off procedures to avoid errors and possible

oil spill.
o Ensure sufficient personnel are available on deck to complete the
operation safely.
o Stagger topping-off of the tanks to reach their full levels in a
controlled sequence.
o Whenever possible, complete topping-off in two stages; wing tanks
followed by center tanks.
o Ensure that the centre tanks shut and the ullage is not changing.
o Open enough wing tanks for cargo flow as the centre tanks are shut.
o Normally it should be possible to maintain the full loading rate during
this process.
o If in doubt request the terminal to reduce the rate accordingly.
o Before topping-off operations begin, notify the terminal in good time.
o Check hydraulic oil tank level for valve operations.
o Keep portable manual hydraulic valve pump for immediate use.
o Verify tank valves operations by opening / closing before topping off
each tank.

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 o Mark final topping-off ullages at CCR control panel and on deck.
o Brief the personnel involved on final topping-off ullages.
o Calibrate remote ullaging systems before topping-off begins.
o Top up the tanks using portable MMC and at the same time compare
the ullages in the CCR.
o On vessel without Independent Overfill alarms (98%) ensure
topping-up is closely monitored.
o If possible set the ullaging system alarm to 98%.
o Make allowance for the height of the reference point, trim and list
vapour lock / remote sensor positions.
o On completion of the topping-off of the wing tanks, open the centre
tanks again and stagger to finish in the desired sequence.
o After completing topping-off of wing tanks, crack open the centre tanks
to relieve the pressure on the lines.
o Ensure smooth transition from wing to centre tanks to avoid pressure
surges and high back pressures at the Terminal's pumps.
o Inform the Terminal well in advance for reducing rate and stopping.
o Keep an allowance in final tank ullages for any and delay between
request to stop and actual stop.

Note:
Refer ISGOTT 5th edition chapter 11 for safety procedures to measure and sample
inerted tanks.

Caution:
Do not load cargo tanks beyond 98% of tank capacity to:
- Keep a safety margin during topping off.
- Avoid overflow during voyage because of volume increase due to temperature
variation.

5 CARRIAGE OF CARGO IN NON-INERTED CONDITION

Note:
It is recommended that Ship’s fitted with Inert Gas System should carry cargo with
tanks in inerted conditions.

SOLAS implies that tankers may carry petroleum products having a flashpoint
exceeding 60ºC (i.e. bitumen, lubricating oils, heavy fuel oils, high flashpoint jet
fuels and some diesel fuels, gas oils and special boiling point liquids) without inert
gas systems having to be fitted or, if fitted, without tanks containing such cargoes
having to be kept in the inert condition.
However, when cargoes with a flashpoint exceeding 60ºC are carried at a cargo
temperature higher than their flashpoint less 5ºC, the tanks should be maintained
in an inert condition because of the danger that a flammable condition may occur.
Chemical cargoes can be carried in non-inerted condition if allowed by SOLAS
regulations. Some of the conditions when a ship might carry cargo in non-inerted
tanks are as below:

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  Ship is not fitted with an IG System.
 The contents of IG system fitted on the vessel is not compatible with the
cargo, and there is a risk of cargo getting contaminated with the Inert Gas.
 The cargo is having Oxygen dependent Inhibitor.
Following procedure must be followed while carrying flammable cargo in non-
inerted conditions:
 Possibility of padding the cargo tanks after loading must be evaluated.
 Precautions mentioned in TGM 2.6 and TGM 2.8 for reducing risks due to
static charge generation must be exercised.
 Cargo operation should be carried in closed conditions only.
 Means of secondary venting system should be verified to be operating
properly.
 Procedure mentioned in TGM 2.6 and TGM 2.8 for tank cleaning in non-
inerted / undefined atmosphere must be followed.

6 CARRIAGE OF CARGO IN VERY COLD CLIMATE

Refer to TGM 2.6.3 A2

Warning:
Seek office approval prior loading cargo at sub-zero temperatures.

7 REFERENCED FORMS AND CHECKLISTS

TSM Form 010 - Pre-Transfer / Safety Meeting
TSM Form 014 – Loading Plan
TSM Form 013 – Ship Shore Safety Checklist
TSM Form 002B – Under Keel Clearance – Monitoring during Cargo Operations

8 APPENDICES
TGM 2.6.3 A1 Setting of Venting System
TGM 2.6.3 A2 Carriage of Cargo in cold climate

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