Home ||| Bulk Cargo ||| Planning ||| Care ||| Safety||| Self unloaders
Procedures and guidelines for terminal prior to cargo loading/unloading in Bulk carriers
The terminal representative is responsible for loading or unloading cargo in accordance with the hatch sequence and tonnages stated on the ship's loading or unloading plan. In addition, the terminal representative should ensure following:
Complete terminal specific check list after consultation with ship before loading or unloading is commenced;
Not deviate from the loading or unloading plan unless by prior consultation and agreement with the ship;
Trim the cargo, when loading or unloading, to the ship's requirements;
Maintain a record of the weight and disposition of the cargo loaded or unloaded and ensure that the weights in the hold do not deviate from the plan;
Fig: bulk terminal coal storage
Provide ship with the names and procedures for contacting the terminal Personnel or shipper's agent who will have responsibility for the loading or unloading operation and with whom the ship will have contact;
Avoid damage to the ship by the loading or unloading equipment and inform the master, if damage occurs;
Ensure that no hot work is carried out on board or in the vicinity of the ship while the ship is alongside the berth except with the permission of the master and in accordance with any requirements of the port administration; and
Ensure that there is agreement between the master and the terminal representative at all stages and in relation to all aspects of the loading or unloading operation.
The loading/unloading plan should preferably be agreed in principle prior to the arrival of the ship.
The terminal representative should ensure the loader/unloader operators and/or terminal control room personnel receive a copy of the agreed load/unload plan. They should also be immediately notified of any subsequently agreed changes. Copies should be retained in the terminal's file for that ship.
The total quantity to be kept for trimming should be clearly stated in the loading plan. The quantity remaining on the belt should be accurately known, or else the belts should run off before trimming commences.
Where loading terminals insert empty gaps into the flow of material to allow for changing hatches, these gaps should be adequate and there should be good communications between loader and stockyard to ensure the loader can move safely.
For multi-unloader or loader operations the terminal should inform the master of its procedures for preventing collisions between the loaders/unloaders. The cargo plans should normally ensure that the machines will be separated by at least one unworked hatch.
The actual quantities to be trimmed should be determined by the master in good time as loading completes, and the distribution clearly specified to the terminal representative and to the loader operator. Due allowance should be made for the belt run off on completion.
Where load/unload plans are programmed into the computerized control system of loader/unloaders, the operator should monitor these carefully, keep the programme updated as the operation progresses, double check if doubt, and be able to revert to a manual tally in event of any problems with the computer programme.
The terminal representative should notify the master when cargo conditions have changed due to weather.
The terminal representative responsible for loading or unloading cargo should:
Inform the ship of all relevant information regarding:
i) Cargo operations.
ii) Ship and terminal safety issues and regulations.
iii)Arrangements for safe access to/from the ship.
iv) Arrangements for access for crewmembers through the terminal premises.
v) Weather and tidal conditions.
vi) Mooring management recommendations.
vii)Understand and respond to the information provided by the master regarding particular safety and operational issues of concern to the ship.
The terminal should have sufficient personnel available to deal with any emergencies likely to affect the safety of its personnel and facilities.
The terminal have details to be specified in the ship/shore checklist, and should also be provided with the terminal's regulations and information booklet.
They must have a procedure for checking the origin, nature and extent of damage whether notified by terminal or ship personnel.
They have knowledge of hot work procedures to identify any risks, and be familiar with the control measures and precautions required, noting that it may be necessary to ballast one or more holds to reduce the cargo air draught of the ship. With combination carriers, this is unlikely to introduce hazards if the pipeline system has been well washed.
However if a pump or pipeline has not been adequately washed, the ballasting operation may discharge residual oil into the hold. Atmospheric tests in the hold should therefore be made before any hot work is carried out in, adjacent to, or above a ballasted hold.
Although every effort have been taken to improve the accuracy of content provided the publisher of this website cannot gaurantee for errors. DisclaimerPrivacy policyHome page
