BITUMEN SHIPS - LOADING OPERATION

Prior Arrival Port:

Check visually all manifold line for any cargo remaining by keeping the respective manifolds open prior to arrival port.
Check all the Cargo lines and associated valves are heated.
Check all cargo vales are freely operating.
Loading tanks to be at appropriate temperature to avoid thermal stress. Vessel to arrive with a cargo tank temperature suitable for that cargo to be loaded and meeting the terminal requirement.
Refer to MSDS for details pertaining to Softening point etc.
Seek office permission if a new cargo has been nominated to load which vessel has never carried in the past.

Pre-Transfer Meeting:

Confirm nominated grades and corresponding tanks with the terminal.
Check for any terminal requirement and restriction for that particular port.
Agree on the sequence of loading and the minimum number of cargo tanks to be kept open for each grade.
Any changes to Cargo Plan should be clearly notified to the duty officers to avoid any misunderstandings or miscommunications.
All OOW’s should familiarise with the contents of the pre-transfer meeting prior taking over watch.

Manifold Connection:

Check the shore hose/ loading arm for any visible blockage.
Once Manifold is connected, carry out a Leak Test.
Once confirmed there is no leak, install the splash guard on manifold and release the air as agreed with terminal.
Adequate PPE must be worn when doing the manifold connection and disconnection.
Cordon off the area just prior commencement of the heated cargo. with effective means or warning rope (e.g., tiger rope). This shall indicate clearly the restricted area, as shown below.

Heightened level of alertness and caution must be exercised when entering and operating in this area.

Adequate level of PPE must be complied with when entering these areas.

Before Loading:

Ensure the loading is planned via drop valves & all relevant valves are open as per the line up in the loading plan.
The cargo valve line up to be checked visually by two different officers, one should be chief officer.
After Ship Shore Line up is complete & permission is received from the terminal, open the Manifold Valve.
One person to be standby in pumproom and manifold during starting, changeover, flushing of lines and stripping of cargo tank.

Loading Operation:

Begin loading at the agreed minimum rate/pressure using the drop line.
Keep the minimum number of tanks open according to the ship/shore agreement.
Continuously monitor the manifold pressure.
Once ascertained the cargo is being received in all the nominated tanks & minimum agreed tanks are open, flush the suction lines of the cargo tanks one by one while loading. FLUSHING OF SUCTION LINE WHILE LOADING TO BE DONE ONLY WHEN THERE IS A GRADE CHANGE OF CARGO OR WHEN EVER VESSEL HAS PERFORMED CARGO TANK FLUSHING OPERATION.
For performing suction line flushing, follow below steps:
- Confirm the intended tank is receiving cargo through drop line.
- Confirm other cargo tanks of same grade are open and receiving cargo.
- Open suction line master and individual suction valve of the intended tank. After few minutes start shutting drop valve of the tank and monitor the manifold pressure. NEVER PERFORM THIS OPERATION WITH SINGLE TANK OPEN ONLY.
- Confirm the cargo is receiving in the tank and allow to continue for 30 min.
- Open the drop valves of the cargo tank and shut the suction valve.
- Any valves operating in CCR, there indicators in Konsberg should be showing the actual status.

Ensure all cargo tanks nominated to load in that particular port is flushed via the suction line under the supervision of chief officer in a controlled manner and for a short, limited period of time.

After initial flushing of suction lines, no further flushing is required during the loading operation.

Mark the tanks & valves that are not required to be operated on the Kongsberg panel provides quick reference.
When changing over tanks, valves to be opened first & once it is ascertained cargo is being received then only the previous tank valves to be shut. Manifold pressures to be monitored visually continuously during tank change over.
Proper physical verification and confirmation that correct valves are lined up and open prior changeover of the cargo tanks.
Chief Officer to notify duty officers promptly of any changes to the cargo plan.
No loading operation to be carried out if the associated cargo tank gauge is faulty until the office has been informed, and Risk Assessment has been made and approved by office.
Use the alarm feature on Kongsberg Display for the Manifold Pressure and Ullages/volumes & set values accordingly for the loading operation.
Leave sufficient ullage space in the last loading tank for draining/line blow.

Completion of Loading:

Prior to closing the manifold valve, confirm with the terminal that loading is complete.

If draining the loading arm by gravity, open the drop and intermediate valves to the tank, ensuring the manifold remains the highest point on ships end.