CARGO TOPPING OFF

OIL TANKER
LOADING OPERATION
 LOADING SEQUENCE

START LOADING - Cargo Loading is started with

minimum rate of cargo flow.
(E.g. – For an Aframax tanker, the start up rate is
approx. 500m3/hr – 1500 m3/hr )

BULK LOADING – The duration until which cargo

flows at maximum agreed flow rate.
(E.g. – For an Aframax tanker, the Bulk loading may
be upto approx 9000 m3 / hr)
 CARGO TOPPING OFF STAGE

CLOSE TO FINISHING LOADING

Cargo flow rate is reduced.
To effectively monitor / compare the Ullage in tanks.

IMPORTANCE:
Preventing overloading / short loading.
Preventing cargo overflow.
Preventing excessive IG pressure in tanks.
Smooth finishing of cargo operations.
 WHAT IS CARGO TOPPING OFF ?

The Operation of completing the

loading of a tank to a required
Ullage .
 GENERAL PROCEDURES

CARGO CONTROL ROOM :

Chief Officer and Duty Officer both will be present.

Sufficient Notice given to Terminal for reducing the cargo flow rate.
(depending on various factors)
(Rate reduction starts- Normally 3 hrs before ETC)

Subsequent notices to Terminal– 30 min ; 15 min ; 5 min. ; standby to

stop ; Stop loading.

Tank Valves (opening & shutting)– Operated from CCR by Duty Officer or
Chief Officer
 GENERAL PROCEDURES

DECK WATCH:

Manifold watch to be vigilant for listening orders.

UTI confirmed standby. ( i.e. cleaned , kept in

bucket, rags, water finding paste, flash light)

Ullage & Temperature ( 3 levels) to be compared

first. ( UTI on deck & SAAB in CCR)
 GENERAL PROCEDURES

DECK WATCH:

Reporting of UTI Ullage clearly and promptly as the

level rises. ( every 10 cm, 5 cm, every cm)

Final Ullage of cargo planned in tank should be known

to person taking Ullage using the UTI.

Ullage Reached – Tank Valve Shut CCR – Cargo Stops

coming – Final Ullage/Temp again checked – Reported
to CCR.
 SUMMARIZING

During Bulk Loading , Cargo tank levels are

segregated to have ease in topping off.

Cargo Tanks are then topped off one by one.

Final Topping off in each tank is done by using

UTI.

After the last tank is topped off, the loading is

stopped.
 SUMMARIZING

When the flow has subsided at Manifold, the

Manifold Valve is shut.

The cargo lines are drained in the tank designated.

(very important)

It is double ensured that all relevant valves are shut

and there is no possibility of expansion of cargo in
any section of pipeline .
 CARGO DOCUMENTATION

FINAL TANK INSPECTION is carried out i.e. Ullage

in tanks, Temperature at 3 levels, Free water
interface is checked.
Carried out jointly by Chief Officer (ship) & Cargo
Surveyor (shore)

ULLAGE REPORT is prepared on the basis of final

tank inspection.
ULLAGE REPORT
Next Session : Safety on Oil Tankers

Thank you