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Cargo Calculations Explanation
Cargo Calculations Explanation
1. CARGO CALCULATIONS
1.1 General:
An oil volume can only be measured at its prevailing temperature and it therefore follows that the standard volume
must usually be calculated. Unfortunately different countries have different standard (reference) temperatures.
Generally, the reference temperatures are:
In Eastern Bloc, Brazil 20oC;
The situation is further confused in that there are primarily two volumetric units, which are:
In metric countries the cubic meter (m3)
Combining a statement of volume with a statement of the reference temperature yields the following
measurement systems:
It is customary to refer to volumes at the reference temperature as Standard Volumes e.g US barrels @ 60
or cubic meters @ 15oC.
However confusion may arise in the latter case if the reference temperature is not stated (Bill of Lading and or
Certificate of Quantity and or shore Quantity Calculations Certificate).
1.2.1 Quantities
All the oil, water, sludge and sediment in the cargo tanks and associated lines and pumps on a ship
before loading commences.
All the measurable oil, water, sludge and sediment in the cargo tanks and associated lines & pumps
on a ship after discharging a cargo has been completed, excluding vapour.
1.2.2 Sediment
Suspended sediment are non-hydrocarbon solids present within the oil but not in solution. Bottom sediment are
non-hydrocarbon solids present in a tank as a separate layer at the bottom. Total sediment is the sum of
suspended and the bottom sediment.
1.2.3 Water
Dissolved water : is the water contained within the oil forming a solution at the prevailing temperature. Suspended
water is the water within the oil which is finely dispersed as small droplets
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Note: It may over a period of time either collect as free water, or become dissolved water depending on the
conditions of the temperature and pressure prevailing. Free water is the water that exists in a separate layer,
Note: It typically lies beneath the oil. Total water is the sum of all the dissolved, suspended and free water in a
cargo or parcel of oil.
1.2.4 Volumes
Total Observed Volume (TOV) is the volume of oli including total water and total sediment measured at the oil
temperature and pressure prevailing.
Gross Observed Volume (GOV) is the volume of oil including dissolved water, suspended water and suspended
sediment but excluding free water and bottom sediment, measured at the oil temperature and pressure prevailing.
Gross Standard Volume (GSV) is the volume of oil including dissolved water, suspended water and suspended
sediment but excluding free water and bottom sediment, calculated at standard condition e.g 15 oC or 60
1013.25 hPa.
Net Observed Volume (NOV) is the volume of oil excluding total water and total sediment at the oil temperature &
pressure prevailing.
Net Standard Volume (NSV) is the volume of oil excluding total water and total sediment, calculated at standard
conditions e.g 15oC or 60oF and 1013.25 hPa.
Total Calculated Volume (TCV) is the gross standard volume plus the free water measured at the temperature &
pressure prevailing.
The Volume Correction Factor (VCF) is the factor depending on the oil type, density or its equivalent and temperature
which corrects oil volumes to the Standard Reference Temperature (s). (ASTM Tables 54 A, B, C, D or 6 A, B)
At the end of a ship loading or discharge operation, it is customary to compare the quantity loaded or discharged
measured on shore with the quantity measured on board the ship. Both the shore figures & the ship figs will be
subject to the effects of random errors and systematic errors so they are unlikely to agree exactly. The question is:
"How closely should they agree?" In a perfect world, for any given vessel, a constant ratio between the ship's figure
& the shore figures should be achievable (even if the ship's tanks are over or under-calibrated). In reality this ratio is
not constant but varies about a mean value which is known as the vessel's experience factor. Such factors are often
used at loading ports to provide a convenient means of checking the acuracy of B/L and ship's figures. There is no
reason why similar techniques cannot be used at the discharge ports, although in practice this is seldom done.
The adjusted mean value of the Vessel Loading Ratio(VLR) obtained after several voyages.
The adjusted mean value of the Vessel Discharge Ratio(VDR) obtained after several voyages.
The IP stipulates that the following types of voyages should not be used when calculating a VEF:
First voyage after dry-dock; Lightening operations; Voyages where the B/L has been based on
shipboard measurement; Voyages prior to any structural modifications which have affected the
vessel's carrying capacity.
There is also a body of opinion which suggests that part cargoes (less than 80% of the capacity)
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should not be considered when calculating a VEF.
1.2.6.1 Mass
Mass is a measure of the quantity of material in a body & constant, regardless of geographical
location, altitude, atmospheric conditions or air buoyancy effects.
1.2.6.2 Weight
Weight is accepted as being the value secured when an object is weighed in air. Now often referred
to as 'apparent mass', and can be converted to mass by the application of an air buoyancy correction
(Table 56 = weight correction for oils).
Gross Weight in Air is the weight of oil including dissolved water, suspended water & suspended
sediment but excluding free water & bottom sediment.
Net Weight in Air is the weight of oil excluding total water & total sediment.
1.2.6.5 Density
The density is the ratio of the mass of a substance to its volume. (typically kg/m3 or sometimes kg/litre
Since density is dependent on temperature & pressure these should be stated.
The Relative Density @ 60 60oF is the density of a substance at 60oF to the density of pure water, also
at 60oF:
141.5
API Gravity = - 131.5
Relative Density @ 60 60oF
The Weight Conversion Factor is a factor dependent on the density, for converting volumes to
air. Such factors shall be obtained from the API-ISO-ASTM-IP Petroleum Measurement Tables
The 1980 / 1982 edition of the API-ASTM-IP Petroleum Measurement Tables for crude oils, refined
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products and lubricating oils (excluding light hydrocarbons, LPG's and bitumen) are carried onboard
according to the vessel's trade.
Within Shell International Trading & Shipping Co. Ltd. Oil cargo calculations are based on:
1) Metric System
3) Weight in Air.
Oil quantity calculations should be made with the ASTM Petroleum Measurement Tables (ASTM Tables). The
equations are as follows:
1) Volumes at 15oC on board a vessel always GROSS = Gross Volume at 15oC = Gross Standard Volume;
Gross Standard Volume = Gross Observed Volume * Volume Correction Factor;
2) Gross Weight In Vacuo (Mass) = Gross Standard Volume * Density @ 15 oC (Vacuo). (Gross Weight in
in Vacuo = GSV * Density @ 15oC (Vacuo)
However, weight in vacuo is not normally calculated on board & therefore this part is normally omitted.
3) Gross Weight In Air = Gross Standard Volume * Density @ 15oC (Vacuo) * WCF.
Note: Ship's volume / weight quantities are always GROSS as vessels are unable to determine the:
To compare ship's figures loaded / discharged with shore figures always compare Gross Standard Volumes
Free Water m3 -
Balance Volume m3
Bottom Sediment m3 -
Balance Volume m3
Slops m3 -
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Note: ASTM Table 52 to be used for conversion of m3 at 15 oC to Bbls at 60oF (As 15oC is not equal to 60
Refer to the SONAR Operating instructions for more information on cargo calculation methods used by SONAR.
Use the density of the water to find the WCF in ASTM Table 56.
Use the ASTM Table Volume XI / XII. Note: Be aware of the fact that some terminals use weight in vacuo (e.g.
Shell Netherlands Refinery BV; Pernis / Europort).
CARGO CALCULATION
x WCF by VCF
Metric Tonnes m3 / 15oC m3 / Nat oC
Tab 56 Tab 54A
US Barrels at Load
US Barrels
Temperature
by 6.293 by VCF
m3 / 15 C
o
US Barrels @ 60 Fo
US Barrels @ Nat oF
Tab. 52 Tab 6A
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x by WCF x by WCF
Metric Tonnes Long Tonnes
Tab. 13 Tab. 11
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he standard volume
) temperatures.
barrels @ 60 oF
f Lading and or
d pumps on a ship
om sediment are
he sum of
erature. Suspended
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Cargo Calulation Theory
nding on the
eparate layer,
free water in a
r and suspended
pressure prevailing.
and suspended
5 oC or 60oF and
lated at standard
he temperature &
ded or discharged
ship figs will be
tly. The question is:
ween the ship's figure
. In reality this ratio is
Such factors are often
figures. There is no
is seldom done.
l voyages.
eral voyages.
culating a VEF:
en based on
e affected the
of the capacity)
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Cargo Calulation Theory
geographical
r & suspended
or sometimes kg/litre
g volumes to weight in
ement Tables (Tab56)
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M Tables). The
ard Volume;
Weight in
be corrected
ard Volumes.
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Cargo Calulation Theory
equal to 60oF).
used by SONAR.
ht in vacuo (e.g.
API
6.2928
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