TGM 2.6.

6 Cargo care during voyage

Valid for: Revision: 0 Date: 2017-12-01
Thome Ship Management (TSM)
Author: Reviewed by: Approved by:
Tanker Department Marine Manager COO Tanker

Contents
1 Application..................................................................................................................1
2 Purpose......................................................................................................................1
3 Responsibilities...........................................................................................................1
4 Cargo handling and operational tests during voyage......................................................1
5 Operational checks for tank vessel during sea passage..................................................2

1 APPLICATION
This document applies to all officers onboard fully managed tanker vessels.

2 PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to specify cargo care procedures during voyage.

3 RESPONSIBILITIES
 Chief Officer- Overall in charge.
 Deck Officers- To assist chief officer as required.
 Chief Engineer- Overall in charge for availability of machinery required for cargo care.
 Watch Keepers- Assist chief officer & deck officers

4 CARGO HANDLING AND OPERATIONAL TESTS DURING VOYAGE

Cargo Heating – Refer to TGM 2.6.8 – Cargo Heating
Preventing Vapour Loss
 Monitor escape of cargo vapour by checking PV valves.
 Ensure all hatch lids, ullage ports and other tank openings are gas tight.
 Maintain inert gas blanket on cargo throughout voyage using the inert gas system as
necessary.
 Keep tanks under a good positive pressure at all times.
Prevention of grade contamination by cargo vapour - Cargoes of different vapour
pressure carried with a common venting system can lead to contamination.

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  Isolate the venting systems for the two grades if possible.
 Use the individual PV valves (if fitted), for pressure control.
 Follow any specific instructions from charterers.
Pre-arrival checks, tests and inspections - Carry out following tests, inspections and
checks during the laden passage, before arrival at discharge port.
 Water Dips - Make a full set of water cuts for cargo tanks and maintain records.
 Hydraulic systems
o Activate hydraulic system and check for leakage.
o Ensure that the motors are working properly.
o Check operation of valves.
o Check operation of high and low pressure alarms, low oil level and auto stop/start
systems.
o Overhaul portable hydraulic hand pumps if necessary.
 Inert gas system – Refer to TGM 2.6.7 – Inert gas system

Note:
-The time for conducting pre-arrival tests may depend on the trade of the vessel but generally
carry out tests at not less than 3 days before arrival.
-This ensures plenty of time to rectify any defects discovered during the tests.

5 OPERATIONAL CHECKS FOR TANK VESSEL DURING SEA PASSAGE

Carry out below checks/controls during sea passage based on nature of cargoes carried .

Note:
Report any abnormality to the master for necessary corrective action.

 Daily check of pump room

o Check hydrocarbon gas to detect cargo leakage.
o Bilge sounding to detect water leakages.
 Control of valves
o Cargo segregation or mixing or contamination
o Tagging of valves - When the vessel is carrying more than one grade, tag the
valves of each grade by different colour.
 Avoid inadvertent access or operation of valves
 Keeping the cargo control room and/or hydraulic room locked.
 Use ‘Lock out – Tag out’ procedure to identify and isolate the grades.
 Segregation of venting lines to avoid vapour contamination
o In case of common venting lines, keep tank isolation valves shut.
o Check inert gas pressure regularly.
o Lock tank isolation valves to avoid inadvertent operation.

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Note:
Chief Officer should have the keys to the I.G. isolation valve locks.

 Cargo tanks level

o Investigate any variation in the tank level immediately.
 Cargo tank or line pressure
o Monitor and maintain cargo tank/line pressure within design limits to avoid
structural damage.

Caution:
Structural damage of tanks / lines can lead to serious pollution.

 Top up inert gas if tank pressures fall below 100 mmwg.

 In case the pressure increases, it may have to vent off using mast riser or PV valves.

Note:
In case of releasing toxic vapours, refer to TGM 2.13.1 A13 Hazardous vapour release.

o Cargo lines also suffer over and under pressurization due to increase or fall in the
temperature of the cargo in the line.
o Release line pressure one by one, by crack opening the drop valve and the
goose neck valve to the cargo tank.
 Cargo temperature
o For heated cargoes, follow heating instruction given by the shipper.

Note:
Heating instruction will specify voyage/discharge temperatures and maximum temperature rise
per day.

o Maintain daily cargo temperature record.

o If in hot climate e.g. warm seawater and sun warming up the deck, a more
frequent check may be necessary.
o If temperature starts rising to dangerous level, put cooling systems into
operation.
o For cooling circulate cold fresh water in the heating coils, and/or flush deck by
ambient seawater.
 Inspection of cargo lines
o If loaded with multiple grades do not pressure test the cargo lines, nor try out
the cargo pumps.
o If vessel is regularly involved in multiple grade loading, then pressure test the lines
and try out of cargo pumps during tank cleaning.
 Gas detection and sounding of empty tanks adjacent to cargo tanks
o On vessels without fixed gas detection systems or fixed gas detection
system without recorders for void and ballast spaces within the cargo tank
area, regularly monitored for hydrocarbon content with portable equipment.

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 o Include sounding and ullaging of the empty spaces to detect cargo or water
leakages.
o Monitor non-cargo spaces within the cargo tank area should as follows:
1. Soonest after each loading operation
2. Everyday during loaded passage and immediately prior to arrival at port
3. Prior ballasting
4. In unusual event such as grounding, collision, contact damage, after a period
of very heavy weather or any other unforeseen operational problems

5. Every third day during ballast passage (sounding or ullaging only)

o When on short coastal voyages, which make the above regulations impractical
to follow, visual inspection of the tanks or the ballast water is a suitable alternative
measure.
o Record the test results.
o During voyage, gas-monitor all void spaces every day and record results.

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