Indian Maritime University

BNA 023 CARGO HANDLING & STOWAGE

Block no. 1 Cargo handling and Care
Unit No. 1 Cargo pumps and Piping Systems

A basic introduction to Oil Tankers

1) Capacity plan
2) Pumping plan
3) Cargo loading
4) Safety on tankers
5) Cargo discharging
6) Cargo documentation
7) Brief introduction to ISGOTT
Safety on tankers

1.5.1
Cargo discharging
Cargo watch keeping

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Cargo discharging

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 Unloading cargo
• The process of moving oil off of a tanker is similar to
loading, but has some key differences.

• The first step in the operation is following the same pre-

transfer procedures as used in loading.

• When the transfer begins, it is the ship's cargo pumps

that are used to move the product ashore.

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 Unloading cargo

• As in loading, the transfer starts at low pressure to

ensure that equipment is working correctly and that
connections are secure. Then a steady pressure is
achieved and held during the operation.

• While pumping, tank levels are carefully watched and

key locations, such as the connection at the cargo
manifold and the ship's pump room are constantly
monitored.

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 Unloading cargo

• Under the direction of the person in charge, crew

members open and close valves to direct the flow of
product and maintain close communication with the
receiving facility to decrease and finally stop the flow of
liquid.

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 Indian Maritime University
BNA 023 CARGO HANDLING & STOWAGE
Block no. 1 Cargo handling and Care
Unit No. 1 Cargo pumps and Piping Systems
Topic 1.5 Cargo discharging

1) Cargo watch keeping

• Cargo watch keeping during cargo discharging

has several procedures in common with Cargo
watch keeping during cargo loading.

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 Cargo watch - keeping

•Prior commencement of discharging operations, a number of

checks need to be carried out by both ship and terminal
personnel .

•The checks and their results information must be exchanged

between the ship and terminal personnel .

•The above exchange of information forms the basis of a safe

loading operation.

•After the above checks are carried out, the recording and
agreement of the two parties is formalized by the signing of the
ship - shore tanker safety check list.

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 Cargo watch - keeping (Continued)

•The watch-keeping team will need to be thoroughly familiar

with the discharging plan so that they can keep an efficient
cargo watch.

•Tank inspection is carried out through ullage or sighting ports,

without entering the tanks.

•Inert gas plant should be operational and the inert gas

pressure in the tanks to be discharged should be increased, as
the cargo in these tanks is getting discharged.

•Cargo pipelines should be set up correctly and rechecked.

•Communication within vessel and between ship and terminal

personnel is once again checked.
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 Cargo watch - keeping (Continued)

•When all necessary terminal and tanker valves in the loading

system are open, the ship signifies readiness to commence
discharging cargo, and the terminal signifies readiness to
receive cargo..

•Discharging the oil cargo is then commenced at a slow rate.

•Checks for cargo oil leaks is carried out in pump rooms,

cofferdams, and tanks not in use, and by the terminal in their
pipe line circuit ashore.

•When no leaks are found, the pumping rate is gradually

increased to the maximum allowable.

•Fire-fighting arrangements and communication checks are

carried out. 10
 Cargo watch - keeping (Continued)

•State of weather and sea is kept under surveillance.

•Moorings of the vessel are attended.

•Close watch should be kept on the sea around the vessel so

that pollution due to any oil leakages from ship, shore or other
ships, can be reported and action taken early to minimize
pollution.

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 Cargo watch - keeping (Continued)

•Ballasting in the segregated ballast tanks is generally done

simultaneously with cargo discharging, to avoid delay in sailing
out.

•Ballasting in empty cargo tanks is not permitted except in

emergency circumstances.

•Upon discharge of all cargo and the vessel completing

ballasting for the intended ballast voyage, the vessel is ready
to sail out, after completion of port formalities and on obtaining
the Port Clearance.

•A detailed record must be maintained of each event and the

time it occurred during the whole discharging operation period.

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