SHIP ТО SHIP TRANSFER GUIDE (PETROLEUM)

(Third Edition 1997)

For Use with Crude Oil and Petroleum Products

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Chapter 1

General Principles

 

1.1 PREAMBLE

This guide covers ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations of crude oil and petroleum products. It is primarily intended to familiarise masters and ship operators with the general principles involved. The advice contained in this publication may be supplemented by instructions from individual shipowners (or ship managers) in order that particular aspects of their own procedures can be covered. In certain port areas it will be found that local regulations apply. These local regulations should be followed and where appropriate the recommendations made in these guidelines can be used as additional advice. Other parties may also benefit from studying these guidelines. Such parties may include ship-charterers, traders, STS agencies and those responsible for organising an STS transfer.

 

1.2   BACKGROUND

The STS transfer of crude oil and petroleum cargoes has become common practice. Experience gained from these regular operations has proven that STS transfers are safe, given compliance with proper procedures, suitable weather and sea conditions.

 

1.3   SCOPE

This guide is directly concerned with STS transfer operations undertaken at sea and therefore in places which may be beyond the assistance of normal port services. These recommendations apply to seagoing ships when it is intended that they moor alongside each other. However, the guide may also be useful as background when establishing rules for transfer operations between seagoing ships and barges or estuarial craft in inshore waters. A further use for the guide can be to provide background advice to companies operating offshore storage or production facilities where direct transfer to seagoing ships takes place.

 

In addition, the guide may also be of assistance to ships aground and requiring emergency lightening, but in such unique circumstances the procedures adopted may vary from these guidelines according to circumstances or on a case by case basis.

 

1.4   CONTROL OF OPERATIONS

The overall control of an STS transfer operation should be vested in the hands of one individual (person in overall advisory control) and will be either one of the masters concerned, or an STS superintendent.

 

If masters are unfamiliar with, or inexperienced in, STS transfer operations it is recommended that an STS superintendent be employed to advise them. There are specialised STS agencies providing such services on an international basis.