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SERVICE OUR SHIPS

SHIP to SHIP CARGO TRANSFER Operations (STS)


Petroleum

IN THIS ISSUE:

1 2 3 4

Written by Capt. Andreas Efthimiades

Marpol Annex 1 Chapter 8

Publications providing STS Operation guidelines

S
at Sea.

Director of Claims

hip to Ship (STS) Transfer operations have evolved from operational requirements with modate large vessels. However, in recent years the practice is more often utilised during

the primary reason being lightering deep draft vessels calling at ports unable to accom-

the trans-shipment and distribution of liquid cargo (oil and associated products) for commercial optimisation. Over the years, with the increase in size of vessels and increase in accidents during

such operations, STS is now being considered as a critical operation, with international regulations

to govern them coming into force from the 1st January 2011. The International Maritime Organisa-

Notice from BE&O P&I

tions (IMO) International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex

1 has introduced Chapter 8 Prevention of Pollution during transfer of Oil Cargo between Oil tankers

Contact details

Safety Regulations / Marpol

Chapter 8 includes regulations 40 to 42; Tankers of 150 GRT and above involved in STS operations will be required to have on board, by the date of the first periodical survey after 1st January 2011 (but no later than 1st April 2012), an STS operations plan approved by the ship administration, describing how STS operations are to be conducted onboard.

The STS Operations Plan is required to be in accordance with the requirements of IMOs Manual on Oil Pollution, Section 1, Prevention as amended and the ICS/OCIMF Ship to Ship Transfer Guide 4th edition and should meet the approval of the vessels Classification Society. This STS Operations Plan should be written in the working language of the ship and include procedures describing how to carry out the operation.

Source: Google Images

The STS operation should be supervised by a person with the required qualifications, as contained in the best practice guidelines for STS operations identified by the IMO.

Enhancements to the guidance provided concerning safety of personnel during transfer between vessels Updating of the five comprehensive operational check lists covering the whole STS operation from pre-fixture, through the operations preparation and commencement, to the unmooring and departure, which will require both owners/operators and STS service providers to act accordingly.

B) OCIMF / STS Service Providers Self Assessment of Suitability (SPSA) of August 2011. This is a Self-Assessment Questionnaire and Guide for the STS Transfer Operation Service Providers and is aimed at verifying their Safety Management Systems, the results of which should be confirmed by an external independent auditor. It also includes guidance, based on industry regulations and the OCIMF STS Transfer Guide (Petroleum). In conclusion, having had a recent investigation into a potential cargo claim from an STS operation, the British European and Overseas P&I facility reiterates to its assured that it is pre-requisite for Members to strictly adhere to international regulations and guidelines.

Source: Google Images

Under Regulation 42, each oil tanker planning an STS operation within the territorial waters or Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of a state that is party to the convention, shall be required to notify the state at least 48hrs prior to the operation. Such notice should include the necessary information on ships, STS time schedule, oil types, service provider identity and also a confirmation that STS Ops Plan meets the requirements of Regulation 41. If the estimated time of arrival of the tanker to the location changes by more than 6 hrs, the notice needs to be revised and the state within their EEZ notified of the change. Further, the States party to the Convention should ensure that the STS Transfer Operations are carried out in compliance with Chapter 8 of MARPOL.

Notice from BE&O P&I

Further information on STS Operation Guidelines is available in the following publications:


A) ICS/OCIMF Ship to Ship transfer Guide (petroleum) 4th Edition. The New Edition of the above mentioned guide gives further assistance to Masters / STS Transfer Operators. The following issues are covered in the new edition New international standard Ships Marine Technology - Floating Pneumatic Rubber Fenders (SO 17357) Considerations for assessing the competence of appoined STS Superintendents Requirements for undertaking an operational risk assessment prior to commencing operations Fatigue awareness and reminders concerning compliance with International Labour Organisation (ILO)/IMO requirements for working hours Enhanced information on the considerations for mooring Updated information on fender selection and usage considerations Expanded recommendations on the selection, inspection, testing, maintenance and use of flexible transfer hoses

Owners should be aware that under the Cover Note, Warranties issued by BE&O P&I in regard to the operations of vessels, require the assured to always be in compliance with the International Maritime Conventions and in failing to do so, will prejudice their cover. If this happens it will have a knock on effect on any associated Claims made against the Club, which may be declined as a result.

Should the assured require any further information or have any further queries or comments please contact;
Capt. Andreas Efthimiades Director of Claims
Email: andreas@dgsmarine.co.uk Office: +357 (0) 25 349 100 Mob: +357 (0) 99 478 854

Ms. Tina Liisa Ohlhaber

General Manager - Hamburg Email: tina@dgsmarine.co.uk Office: +49 (0) 40 70 299 820 Mob: +49 (0) 170 22 84 764 Ms. Sanndhya Pillai General Manager Email: pillai@dgsmarine.co.uk Mob: +91 (0) 98 2088 3074

Capt. Nigel Moniz

Divisional Director

Email: moniz@dgsmarine.co.uk Office: +44 (0) 20 7283 4230 Mob: +44 (0) 794 410 8174 Mr. Nicolas A. Skinner Divisional Director Email:n.skinner@dgsmarine.co.uk Office: +45 (0) 55 77 59 19 Mob: +45 (0) 25 77 98 40

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