The complex world of tanker transportation

Tanker vessels are ships designed to transport liquids and gases in bulk. Cargo on these vessels can include crude oil; refined products, such as LNG, LPG, jet fuel, diesel, and asphalt; chemicals; vegetable oil; fresh water; wine and more. While they vary in size, tankers are often very large and have large drafts.

The goods that these vessels carry are often essential to the global energy supply and material supply chains, while also being highly hazardous. Personnel responsible for handling cargo must be trained and certified to operate, load, and unload these vessels. There are several regulations in place that determine the routes these vessels can take and the minimum distance they must maintain from land, especially while laden with combustible cargo.

Over the years, as the demand for tanker transport and the average size of these vessels has grown, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has taken steps to regulate how tankers are built and operated, requiring them to be fitted with specialised equipment to minimize pollution and the risk of disastrous accidents. Some of these regulations mandate how vessels must be built and what equipment must be on board.

These include:

• extensive fire safety equipment kept aboard,
• inert gas systems to suppress combustion,
• slop tanks to store oil residues until they can be safely discharged,
• crude oil washing equipment to clean cargo tanks,
• backup steering and navigational systems in case of failure of main systems,
• mandatory towing arrangements in case of systems failure,
• segregated ballast tanks for greater ship stability and reduced risk of pollution, and
• double hulls to increase cargo security and reduce risk of spills in the event of collisions or incidents.

There are multiple variables that determine the safety, timeliness, and efficiency of port stops for tankers, as these vessels face several restrictions and extensive vetting. Comprehensive port data informs seafarers of all regulations and restrictions in place, allowing them to plan safe, efficient compliant passages, from berth to berth.

Unique Regulations and Restrictions

Tankers are often restricted to daylight navigation and movement, making scheduling an important consideration in the passage planning process. These vessels are also commonly prohibited from anchoring in or even navigating certain areas of ports. To eliminate the risk of collisions, some facilities suspend other vessel traffic in a channel while tankers are in the vicinity. Furthermore, some ports may require the onboard presence of two pilots to ensure a safe approach. Others may require police presence or the use of tugboats. In cases where there are multiple contingencies, timing and organisation plays a crucial role in planning an efficient port stop.

Difficulty Manoeuvering

Tanker vessels are some of the most state of the art machinery in the world. Due their large size and draft, they are also extremely cumbersome to manoeuvre, especially in shallow and congested waters. To avoid navigational complications, mariners must know the unique thresholds for maximum vessel draft, dead weight tonnage and length overall throughout the port and at specific berths to prepare for mooring and cargo operations.

Documentation

Tanker crews are required to present and submit unique documents to port personnel at various stages of their stop. They may also have to present documents to authorities on occasion. These include specific record books, certificates, manuals, data sheets and procedural documents. Comprehensive port data would include details of all requirements and can serve as a checklist for the master and other ship leaders before and during a voyage. Operators could use the same checklist to evaluate their vessel systems, ensuring they are in good condition, set up properly and ready for use.

Loading and Unloading Cargo

There are several procedures that must be established and followed so that tankers can be loaded and unloaded safely. Depending on the port and the equipment involved, these steps can vary, but safety remains the utmost priority. A ship-shore checklist must be filled out on arrival at port to ensure all parties, both onboard and at the terminal, understand their responsibilities. Leaders from both sides must also agree on a maximum cargo rate that will not damage pipelines or pumps. The facility’s pumping rates and maximum pressure at the manifold are important details to ascertain in advance as these will certainly affect schedules.

Weather

Weather is another important factor to consider. Offshore moorings leave vessels exposed to the elements, so port data concerning weather forecasts, nearest shelter and tug availability is important. Tanker operators are particularly weary of electrical storms, which can cause fire and explosions when flammable liquid cargo is exposed. Strong winds and waves also make it difficult for vessels to stay securely moored, potentially increasing the risk of damaged equipment or leakages during cargo exchange.

Many ports are also increasingly using dynamic, live data to ensure ships are compliant with minimum Under Keel Clearances. This can also be affected by weather if tide levels are below predictions, potentially reducing the navigable time slot when vessels can enter ports.

Other Considerations

Here are just a few other considerations tanker operators must contemplate when planning port calls:

• Handling facilities for specialised products (pressure/temperature limits etc.)
• Manifold sizes and pumping rates of loading and unloading equipment,
• Safety guidelines including towage, mooring and emergency procedures,
• Pilot boarding arrangements,
• Lightering and the location of lightering anchorages

It is impossible to control all the variables that lead to a safe, timely and efficient port stop, but preparedness and organisation are the best guarantees. With high quality port data, bridge and shoreside personnel can better plan for safe, timely, organized port calls.

Here are a few of the key features of OneOcean’s Findaport products, available through an online portal, as a CD or as hardcover publications.

• Data on over 2,144 ports and over 10,000 terminals around the world.
• Access to over 70 categories of detailed port information.
• Over 3,070 port plans.
• Over 1,000 port photographs.
• Over 677 Reports of Actual Conditions Experienced (ACE Reports) provided by fellow seafarers.
• Search functionality that uses a map interface and allows users to specify requirements on over 26 criteria, including:
• Specific search terms
• Port name
• Locode
• Country
• Region
• Coordinates
• Port facilities
• Cargo types handled
• Dry dock sizes
• Unique port symbols identify types of cargo handled and dry dock capacity.
• Port information that can be printed and saved to a PC.
• Contact information for service providers.
• Download-able updates (internet connection required).

Get in touch with us today to find out how your organisation can benefit from the most the comprehensive port data available to the maritime industry.