Chemical Tanker Notes & Operational Practice, 2nd Edition

Published: October 2024

The second edition has been extensively revised and updated to reflect current best practice in chemical tanker operations. This includes updates to procedures and recommendations for cargo carriage, which reflect the latest regulatory requirements. These primarily include updates to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk (IBC Code) and the MARPOL Convention.

The book looks in turn at every stage of a chemical voyage, including:

- The importance of product identification and how this affects stowage, segregation and handling.

- Creating a load plan and assessment of cargo related risks, with regards to the hazards of chemicals such as noxious liquid substances.

- Methods of tank cleaning, tank washing mediums and testing standards for cargo tanks.

- Loading operations, including information on loading rates and temperatures, sampling, cargo calculations, deballasting and vapour return systems.

- Guidance on cargo calculations, recordkeeping and tanker related paperwork.

- Information on cargo tank coatings and cargo systems, including cargo pumps.

- Conditions of carriage and cargo care, including heated cargoes, nitrogen blanket cargoes, recirculation and inhibited cargoes.

- Preparations for arrival, including discharge procedures and ballasting.

- Prewash operations.

Table of Contents

Tables

Case Studies

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

About the First Edition Author

Chapter 1 - Transportation of Chemicals by Sea

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Chemicals and Their Properties

1.3 Chemicals and Their Hazards

1.4 Safety Data Sheet

1.5 Coatings, MARPOL and Cargo Categories

1.6 Ship Types and Cargo Containment

1.7 Transportation Requirements

1.8 Cargo Equipment, Safety Equipment and PPE

1.9 Industry Organisations

Chapter 2 - The Voyage and Cargo Planning

2.1 Voyage Orders

2.2 Cargo Planning

2.3 Stowage, Segregation, Compatibility and Coatings

2.4 Load Planning

2.5 Cargo Planning and Stability Considerations

2.6 Passage Planning

2.7 ETA and Notice of Readiness

Chapter 3 - Tank Cleaning

3.1 Cleaning, Slop and Disposal Procedures

3.2 Tank Cleaning Recommendations

3.3 Tank Cleaning with a Cleaning Agent (additive)

3.4 Tank Cleaning by Ventilation

3.5 Tank Cleaning by Steaming

3.6 Draining and Drying

3.7 Inert Gas and Inert Gas Generator

3.8 Tank Cleaning Plan and Team Meeting

3.9 Tank Cleaning Equipment

3.10 Preventing Unauthorised Discharge

3.11 Visual Inspection of the Tank

3.12 Wallwash Tests

3.13 Preload Tests and Checks

Chapter 4 - Loading and Departure

4.1 Preparations and Precautions

4.2 Tanks Inspection

4.3 Pre-Cargo Meeting and Connection of Manifolds

4.4 Stability During Cargo Operations

4.5 Loading

4.6 Ballast Operations

4.7 Cargo Tank Vapour Return Systems

4.8 Emergencies During Cargo Operations

4.9 Loading Rate and Loading Temperature

4.10 Sampling

4.11 Cargo Completion and Calculation

4.12 Cargo Discrepancy

4.13 Short Loading

4.14 Letter of Authorisation

4.15 Bill of Lading

4.16 Statement of Facts and Timesheets

4.17 Departure

Chapter 5 - Conditions of Carriage

5.1 Heated and Cooled Cargoes

5.2 Nitrogen Blanket Cargo

5.3 Recirculation

5.4 Polymerisation/Inhibited Cargo

5.5 Phenol Cargo

5.6 Cargo Additives

Chapter 6 - Discharging

6.1 Considerations on Arrival

6.2 Pumps

6.3 Commencing Discharge

6.4 Stripping

6.5 Completing Discharge, Inspection and Blowing the Line(s)

Chapter 7 - Prewash

7.1 Prewash Requirements

7.2 Prewash Procedures

7.3 Minimum Quantity of Water Required for Prewash

7.4 Persistent Floating Products

Chapter 8 - Terms and Definitions

Appendices

Appendix 1 Compatibility Chart

Appendix 2 Alphabetical Listing of Compounds

Appendix 3 Exceptions to the Compatibility Chart

Appendix 4 FOSFA List of Banned Immediate Previous Cargoes

Appendix 5 FOSFA List of Acceptable Previous Cargoes

Appendix 6 International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk

Appendix 7 NLS Certificate

Appendix 8 Procedures and Arrangements Manual

Appendix 9 Cargo Hose Record

Appendix 10 Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP)

Appendix 11 Guidelines in Developing a SMPEP

Bibliography

Index