Terminal information required by ships handling bulk cargo - Ship to Terminal data Exchange
It is important that the ship be provided with information about a terminal so the loading or unloading can be planned. Similarly, the terminal will need information about the ship to enable preparations to be made to load or unload the ship. It is important that the information be exchanged in sufficient time to allow preparations to be made.
Before loading commences there should be an agreement between the master and the terminal representative as to the rate of loading and order in which the cargo is to be distributed so as to achieve the final loading plan. In general, this agreement should be based on one or more of the following options:
i)the limitations or restrictions on loading procedures, if such are specified in the ship's Loading Manual or Trim and Stability Booklet, or both;
ii) If there is no restriction on loading, and the ship has a loading instrument which has been approved, the loading plan should be prepared on the instrument and there should be a protocol in place so that the loading remains, at all times, within the approved stress limits of the ship;
However, even where the load plan is not the terminal's preferred option, the terminal representative should co-ordinate and agree to a plan before starting operations. Operations should not start until agreement has been obtained.
The master should forward the proposed loading/unloading plan to the terminal before the ship arrives:
i) The terminal representative should check the plan and ensure it corresponds to its expectations. If it does not the terminal may revert to the ship requesting a review of the proposed plan.
ii) By giving the ship adequate time to prepare an alternative plan, in compliance with the ship's stability booklet and loading manual or instrument, it should be possible to identify a mutually acceptable loading sequence.
Details should be provided of any necessary repairs which may delay berthing, the commencement of loading or unloading, or may delay the ship sailing on completion of loading or unloading.
The terminal should be informed if any proposed visits by ship repair contractors or service personnel, or if cranes or other equipment are required on the jetty.
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