2nd Mates Chemical Tanker Notes by Capt Vichitra Kumar

IBC Code:
(Int Bulk Chem code for the Construction & equipment for ships carrying dangerous chem in bulk)

-IBC code applies to ships built after 1 July 1986. Older ships are required to comply
with BCH Code.
-The purpose of this Code is to provide an international standard for the safe carriage,
in bulk by sea, of dangerous chemicals and noxious liquid substances.
-All NLS in bulk are listed in Ch 17 & 18. Ch18 lists the Cargoes to which there is NO
IBC code requirement.
-Chapter 17 provides the summary of minimum requirements for safe carriage of each
dangerous chemical.
-The Code prescribes the design and construction standards of ships, regardless of
tonnage, involved in such carriage and the equipment to minimize the risk to the
ship, its crew and the environment, having regard to the nature of the products
involved.
-The basic philosophy of the Code is to assign, to each chemical tanker, one of the
ship types according to the degree of the hazards of the products carried by such
ships.

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CHRIS Code:
(Chemical Hazards Response Information System)

Proper name of the publication is Chemical Data Guide for bulk shipment by water.
It is published by USCG.

Contents of Chem Data Guide.

a) Cargo data sheets for each cargo: One page is dedicated for each product
b) Synonym Index: Proper Chemical name can be obtained by checking against a
trading name.
c) Compatibilty Chart: Most important feature of the guide. Tells whether the two
different cargoes are compatible(can stow adjacent) or incompatible(can’t stow
adjacent).
d) Medical kit information(Antidotes): for highly toxic cyanide like cargoes.
 SHIP TYPES

IMO-SHIP TYPE 1
TYPE 1 Ships are designed to transport products which require maximum preventive
measures to preclude the escape of such cargo. The ship should be capable of sustaining
collision or stranding damage anywhere along her length.

Tanks intended for the carriage of cargoes should be located outside the extent of the
damage specified below and should nowhere be closer to the ships shell than 760 mm
 Transverse extent – inboard from the ship side B/5 OR 11.5 metres whichever is less
 Vertical extent – from the base line B/15 OR 6 metres whichever is less

Maximum allowable quantity of cargo 1250m3 IN ANY ONE TANK.

CARGO TANK LOCATION

IMO – SHIP TYPE – II

Type II ships are designed to transport products which require significant preventive
measures to preclude the escape of such cargo. Ship should be capable of sustaining collision
or stranding damage anywhere in her length except involving either of the bulkheads
bounding a machinery space located aft, and surviving as specified. Tanks
containing cargoes which are required to be transported in a type II should be located
outside the extent of damage and should nowhere be closer, to the ships shell than 760 mm
Vertical extent: from base line B/15 OR 6 m whichever is less.
Transverse extent: 760 mm
Maximum allowable quantity of cargo 3000m3 IN ANY ONE TANK.

CARGO TANK LOCATION

IMO CLASSIFICATION – SHIP TYPE III

TYPE III ship is a Chemical Tanker intended to transport products with sufficiently severe
environmental and safety hazards which require a moderate degree of containment to
increase the survival capability in damaged condition.

1. MODERATE floatability and damage stability requirement.

2. No special requirements for cargo tank location.
3. Designed to carry products or sufficient hazard to require a moderate degree of
containment to increase survival capability in a damaged condition.
4. No limit of quantity of cargo per tank.
 HAZARDS OF CHEMICAL CARGOES

A number of Chemicals are used throughout the world and these chemicals may be reactive,
Corrosive, Flammable and Explosives. To Handle these Chemicals one should be aware of the
properties and hazards of these chemicals. Information about any chemical to be carried on
board should be comprehensive enough for an accurate assessment of
1) Reactivity
2) Corrosivity to equipments and tools
3) Fire and Explosion hazards
4) Health(Toxicity,Asphyxia)
5) Environmental
6) Structural

1) REACTIVITY HAZARDS
A reactive material is a substance that can liberate sufficient energy to initiate a hazardous
event. Initiation of a hazardous reaction can be spontaneous or occur as a result of heat
input, mechanical shock, friction or catalytic activity.
Substance or cargo may be
 Self Reactive
 React with Air
 React with water or
 React with other substance
And Result of Reaction may be
 Exothermic reaction
 Release of Vapour
 Rise in Temperature in the tank
 Affect the cargo quality
 Increase the danger of explosion or fire.

SELF REACTIVE CHEMICALS

Vigorous Polymerisation may occur: Polymerisation is a chemical reaction in which small
molecules (monomers) join together to form a large molecule (Polymer). The reaction often
produces heat and pressure. Vigorous polymerization is hazardous because the reaction may
get out of control. Once started the reaction is accelerated by the heat that it produces. The
uncontrolled build up of pressure and heat can cause fire or an explosion or can rupture a
cargo tank. Depending on materials increase in temperature or sunlight or UV radiation or X-
rays or contact with incompatible chemicals can trigger such reaction. Many pure substances
can undergo vigorous polymerization quite easily by themselves when they are heated
slightly or exposed to light. These include: Acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, Styrene, Vinyl acetate.
Inhibitor is a chemical that is added to a material to slow down or prevent an unwanted
reaction to occur. Inhibitors are added to many materials that can polymerize easily when
they are pure. Inhibitor level may decrease during storage even at recommended
temperatures.
Vigorous Decomposition: It is a chemical change in which a molecule breaks down into
simpler molecules. This reaction is potentially hazardous because large amount of heat can
be released very quickly. This could result in a fire or explosion or rupture a closed container
causing the release of dangerous decomposition products.

REACTION WITH WATER

Some materials can react vigorously with water to produce gases which are deadly. For
example Sodium or potassium phosphides release phosphine gas when they come in contact
with water. Large amount of corrosive hydrogen gas is released when water reacts with
aluminium chloride. When water contacts thionyl chloride or sulphuryl chloride they
decompose to give sulphur dioxide gas and hydrogen chloride gas. Sodium or potassium
cyanide releases hydrogen cyanide when contact water.
REACTION WITH AIR
Air reactive chemicals are those which react violently in contact with air or oxygen.
Sometimes air reactive chemicals are called spontaneously combustible or pyrophoric
materials. Pyrophoric materials burst into flame spontaneously upon contact with air or
oxygen. E.g. alkali metals react with oxygen to form monoxide and peroxide and reaction
proceeds with explosion. Phosphorous catches fire in moist air and produce white fumes.

2) CORROSIVITY HAZARDS
Corrosion involves the destruction, dissolving or softening of any substance by chemical or
electrochemical reaction with its environment. It can be the gradual action of natural agents
such as air or salt water on metals. Presence of Corrosive materials creates two particular
Hazards
 Corrosion of materials of construction
 Contact of person with corrosive materials. E.g. HCl, H2SO4, HNO3.

3) FLAMMABILITY HAZARDS
Flammable materials include any solid, liquid or gas that will ignite and burn rapidly. E.g.
Benzene, Gasoline, Carbon monoxide, Acetylene

EXPLOSIVE HAZARDS
Explosives are compounds or mixtures that undergo rapid burning with the generation of
large amount of gas and heat and the production of sudden pressure effects e.g. Picric acid,
Nitro compound.

4) HEALTH HAZARDS

TOXICITY HAZARDS
The ability to affect human tissues and toxicity of any cargo depends on its Threshold limit
value.
ASPHYXIA
A person will be asphyxiated if he breathes Oxygen deficient atmosphere arising due to cargo
vapours or nitrogen required for the cargo operations.
CARCINOGEN
Some of the chemicals causes cancer if the exposure is long.
 5) ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS
Cat-X,Y,Z are marine pollutant & their discharge to sea is prohibited, unless MARPOL Ann II
discharge criteria is complied with.

6) STRUCTURAL HAZARDS
This is associated with high density cargoes which may damage the ship tanks if overloaded
by weight. Design Specific gravity to be used for max loading weight per tank. Due to less
volume loading there will be sloshing effects in the tank.

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MARPOL ANNEX II

Categorization of Noxious Liquid Substances and Other substances:

 Category X: NLS deemed to present a major hazard to either marine resources

or human health and therefore justify the prohibition of discharge into the marine
environment.
e.g. Heptane, Phosphorus, Calcium hypochlorite sol.(>15%)

 Category Y: NLS deemed to present a hazard to either marine resources or

human health and therefore justify a limitation on the quality & quantity of
discharge into the marine environment. e.g. Palm Oil, Sulphuric acid, Phenol

 Category Z: NLS deemed to present a minor hazard to either marine resources

or human health and therefore justify less stringent restrictions on the quality &
quantity of discharge into the marine environment. e.g. Phosphoric acid, Ethanol,
Acetone

 Other Substances: Substances indicated as OS in pollution category column of

Ch-18 of IBC code have been found to fall outside Cat – X, Y or Z as defined
above and are considered to present no harm to marine resources or human
health. The discharge of “Other Substances” shall not be subject to any
requirements of Annex-II. e.g. Apple Juice, Molasses, Glucose sol.

Special Areas: Antarctic Area south of 60 degrees south. The discharge of any
NLS is prohibited in the special area.

High Viscosity Substances (H.V.S.): A noxious liquid substance with a viscosity

equal to or greater than 50 mPa.s is a high viscosity substance.

Solidifying Substance means a NLS which in case of Melting Point < 15° C, is at a
temperature of less than 5° C above Melting Point at the time of Unloading or in
case of Melting Point ≥ 15° C, is at a temperature of less than 10° C above Melting
Point at the time of Unloading.
 PREWASH PROCEDURES

Prewash is mandatory for all Cat – X substances and High Viscosity or Solidifying
substances of Cat – Y. Prewash serves to reduce the residue quantities in tank to
negligible . In formulating prewash procedure consideration has been given to
physical properties (e.g. Viscous or Solidifying nature) of cargoes.
Prewash shall be carried out before the vessel leaves the port of unloading and
residues shall be discharged to a reception facility. Prewash for Cat-X to be carrried
out until the concentration of the substance in the effluent is below 0.1% by weight.
Prewash for Cat-Y to be carried out as per P & A manual. After prewash tank washing
can be discharged to the sea en route as per Reg13.
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MARPOL AnnII Reg13: Discharge Criteria for Effluents containing NLS

Substances Cat - Cat -
Cat - Y Cat – Z
X OS
High Keel
Conditions Keel laid
Viscosity laid
Others before
/ after
1/1/07
Solidifying 1/1/07

Requirements
Strip Tank &
Piping in
YES YES YES YES YES
accordance with P
& A Manual
Mandatory
YES YES NO NO NO
Prewash
Subsequent Wash

Discharge
- - - - -

Discharge below May be

YES YES YES YES
W/L Exempted
Distance from
YES YES YES YES YES
Land > 12 Miles No
Ship's Speed > 7
YES YES YES YES YES
Knots
Water Depth > 25
YES YES YES YES YES
m
If unloading of Cargo for category X, Y, Z is not carried out in accordance with
Procedures & Arrangements Manual, Pre-wash becomes mandatory.
Additional Notes: No Restrictions, except Stripping as per P & A Manual, are imposed if Tank
Cleaning is carried out by Ventilation only.
(Applicable for Cargoes with Vapour Pressure > 5 kPa @ 20 C).

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Stripping Requirements of cargo tanks:

Cat – X Cat – Y Cat - Z

New Ships (post 2007) 75 Litres 75 Litres 75 Litres
IBC Ships (pre 2007) 150 Litres 150 Litres 350 Litres
BCH Ships 350 Litres 350 Litres 950 Litres

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Precautions to be taken prior loading a noxious liquid substance. :

a) Check the product is listed in the attachment of Certificate of fitness

b) The following book needs to be consulted w.r.t safety aspect ,hazard and handling
procedures for the cargo to be carried
1) IBC Code
2) P & A Manual
3) MSDS Sheet
4) USCG Compatability Chart
5) Company Cargo Operation Manual
6) Tank Cleaning Guide
7) SMPEP
8) ICS Tanker Safety Guide
c) All effort should be made to know the following information about the product
1) Chemical & Physical Property
2) Compatibility with other parcel
3) Action in case of spill or leak
4) Countermeasures against accidental personal contact
5) Action in case of fire
6) Antidote and Draeger tube for the product is available
7) Fire fighting procedure and extinguishing media
8) Procedure for cargo transfer , tank cleaning and gasfreeing
9) Whether the chemical is stabilized or inhibited
10) Tank Venting requirement
11) Any other characteristic of the product like high vapour pressure
12) Flash point of the product and the estimated loading temp
13) Nominated cargo qty and order of loading
14) Whether VEC ( vapour emission control system ) will be required
15) Cargo viscosity and Melting point
16) Cargo heating and cooling instruction
17) Tank coating material compatibility
18) Precaution against static electricity
19) Initial rate
20) Line cleaning procedure after completion of loading/discharging
21) Any special requirement as given in Chapter 17 of IBC code in section (o)
22) Discharge category of the product should be checked and loading to be
carried out in appropriate tanks.
Based on the above information the cargo operation should be carefully planned and
documented well in advance of operation . This should include cargo and ballast plan
,stowage plan , Drawing of Piping diagram , Valve arrangement , venting arrangement , IG
valve arrangement as per the company plan . Piping diagram contains location of u-pieces ,
y-pieces and elbow for the operation.
Stability , Stress and trim should be kept in mind for preparing the cargo plan . Load line
zones and season to be consulted.
Topping of UTI and CCR fixed gauging equipment ullages should be recorded for the loading
temp.

The following precaution to be taken to avoid co-mingling of cargo

a) Different set of equipment should be used to avoid commingling
b) The stowage is planned such that to ensure that drip tray segregation should be
maintained at manifold.
c) Splash guard should be provided at manifold
d) The vapour of incompatible cargoes should also be segregated .

When deciding topping off following sequence shall be kept in mind

- No. of tank loaded simultaneously
- Available personnel on deck
- Weather condition
- Trim & list

Precaution to be taken during carrying out the operation

a) A meeting to be called for crew and officer and the cargo plan and other
important thing related to the operation should be discussed.
b) High level and overfill alarm to be tested
c) PV valve should be manually operated using hand
d) Ballast sampling to be carried out
e) Scupper to be in place.
f) Fire fighting arrangement are ready
g) Adequate amout of absorbent and spill containment equipment shall be available
at manifold.
h) Emergency showers and eyewash on deck are ready and running.
i) Cargo tank pressure alarms to be tested.
j) Pressure testing of lines /valves should be carried at regular interval
k) Person should have Proper PPE ( Apron, chemical suit , BA set ) etc ready on
deck
l) Antidote of the cargo available & all crew knows its location & use.
m) Emergency stop switch should be checked from all location during discharging
operation.
n) Ship shore Safety checklist to be filled prior commencement of operation .On
taking over watch , valve arrangement to be rechecked
 o) Cargo loading / unloading rate to be calculated are discussed with shore at
regular interval .
p) Mooring , safety and security watch to be maintained on deck.
q) Regular checking of over side should be done for any pollution
r) Sampling to be carried out prior loading at manifold and after loading .
s) Loading should be started at slow rate . Also at time of topping off , the rates
should be reduced.
t) Alertness is required during Line Displacement and pigging operation
u) Over pressurization and under pressurization should be avoided in the tank.
v) In case the cargo present flammability or toxicity hazard or some highly sensitive
cargo , a pressure test of the relevant cargo system should be conducted to the
maximum allowable working pressure.
w) Cargo hose , steam hoses should be visually checked , pressure tested and
conductivity checked.
x) Proper Notices are placed at Manifold.
y) In case of Carcinogenic material , Special Notice should be planced near manifold
to make people aware of the chemical.
z) All overboard discharge valves shall be securely closed and blanked.
aa) Cargo tanks – all opening should be gas tight
bb) Reading of gases evolved by cargo should be checked on deck , in
accommodation , ER and PR at regular interval.
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Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP)

A Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan (SMPEP) is a flag or class approved document carried
onboard that gives guidance to the Master and crew in the case of a collision or a fire on a ship. The
SMPEP details the emergency plans and the pollution prevention team together with the relevant contact
details. Regulation 17 of Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 (Prevention of Pollution by Noxious Liquid
Substances) requires every ship of 150 GRT and above certified to carry noxious liquid substances in bulk
to have on board an approved Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan for Noxious Liquid
Substances. Such a plan is required to be drawn up in accordance with the "Guidelines for the
Development of Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plans for Oil and/or Noxious Liquid Substances"
adopted by Organisation. This requirement came into force on 1 January 2003. The SMPEP should be
combined with a Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP), since most of their contents are the
same and the combined plan is more practical than two separate ones in case of an emergency. To make
it clear that the plan is a combined one, it should be referred to as a shipboard marine pollution emergency
plan (SMPEP).
Contents of a SMPEP

- Record of changes
- Ship Particulars
- Reporting Requirements
- Steps To Control Discharge
- National And Local Coordination
- Additional Information
- List Of Coastal State Contacts
- List of Port Contacts
- List Of Ship Interest Contacts
- Pollution prevention teams & duties
- Spill control equipments
- Damage Stability Shore assistance details
- Flow Chart And Checklists
- Plans,drawings & ship specific details
- Record of drills
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PROCEDURES & ARRANGEMENTS MANUAL

The P & A manual as required by Reg14 of Ann II Marpol, is a comprehensive

ship specific document that contains to the smallest detail; all the
procedures & arrangements on board chemical tankers which carry
substances identified in Chapter 17 of the IBC Code.
The manual is ship specific & is approved by the administration & is checked
during class surveys. Amendments has to be approved by the
administration.
Purpose
-P & A manual is also used as a familiarisation tool for the newly joined crew.
-To minimise the cargo residues on board by following procedures given in
the manual.

Contents of P&A manual as per MARPOL Ann II:-

-Main features of MARPOL 73/78, Annex Il
-Description of the ship's equipment and arrangements
-Cargo unloading procedures and tank stripping
-Procedures relating to the cleaning of cargo tanks, the discharge of residues, ballasting
and deballasting
-Information and procedures: Cargo tank information.,Flow diagram.,Prewash
procedures.,Ventilation procedures.,Additional information and operational instructions
when required or accepted by the Administration.

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(end of notes)