Ship To Ship Transfert

Marine Equipment in use between two ships - Henger Shipping Supplies

Ship to ship transfer is an important part of current offshore operations and is often referred to as barge operations.

Due to the draught limitations of large vessels, these vessels do not have good access to ports. Ship to ship transportation is needed at this time, for example, VLCC and ULCC are some good examples.

In addition, large vessels coming into port to discharge their cargo means that they have to pay port berthing fees. In this way, this fee can be well eliminated. In addition, berthing and mooring times can be reduced.

This method is often used for the transfer of oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), or other bulk cargoes. Such cargoes are prone to leakage and therefore cause some pollution of the sea surface. Therefore, this task requires precise planning and execution.

In the following, HENGER will give you a detailed overview of ship to ship transfer to help you better understand this maritime task.

Table of Contents

What is ship to ship transfer (STS)?

Ship to ship transfer (STS) refers to the transfer of cargo between ships at sea. It usually takes place at sea at the Outer Port Limit (OPL) or other designated areas. It is commonly used for the transshipment of crude oil, bulk cargo, petroleum products or other bulk commodities.

Proper coordination is required in this process. The captains of the two vessels are jointly responsible for the entire transshipment process to ensure safe and efficient operations. Vessels can be navigated at very low speeds or one vessel can be anchored using an anchor chain.

STS can effectively optimize port operations and avoid congestion caused by busy ports. In addition, it is possible to bypass congestion, which can result in additional port call costs.

ship to ship transfer

STS Transshipment Operations

Ship-to-ship (STS) transshipment operations are divided into five main phases. Each of these stages requires careful coordination to ensure a safe and efficient operation.

  1. Pre-arrival planning: Detailed planning is required before STS operations can begin. At this point, operators and managers work together to develop a plan to ensure that every aspect of the operation is prepared. This plan kind of includes vessels, equipment, personnel and possible risks.
  2. Arrival: Once the two vessels have arrived at the operational area, contact is established via radio. This confirms the operational plan and ensures that all operational steps are understood and agreed upon by both parties.
  3. Mooring: During the mooring phase, the two vessels will need to be moored side by side to allow for transshipment. Contingency plans are also put in place to ensure that problems can be dealt with quickly.
  4. Cargo transfer: Once both vessels are safely moored, the transfer of cargo begins. At this point, hoses and equipment can be used to connect the two vessels and the unloading vessel transfers the cargo to the receiving vessel.
  5. Departure: After completing the transfer, the vessels are ready to be undocked and leave the operational area.

When is ship-to-ship cargo transfer required?

Ship-to-ship (STS) cargo transshipment is usually carried out in the following situations:

Port congestion or distance issues

When the port is congested and the vessel cannot dock in time. This is where ship-to-ship transshipment becomes an effective solution. By transshipment at sea, ships can avoid congested ports. This reduces waiting time and saves docking costs.

Cargo transfer between supply vessel and mother ship

In offshore operations, especially in oil fields or other offshore platforms. Supply vessels are often required to transport supplies to the mother ship. This requires a ship-to-ship operation without the need for the mother ship to return to port for replenishment.

Crew changes

STS operations are also used for crew changes for vessels that are on long voyages or in remote areas. Crew can be transferred directly through STS operations without the need to return to port.

Transfer of Special Cargo

Some special cargoes such as oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) or other bulk cargoes. These cargoes often require ship-to-ship transshipment.

Maintenance and emergency repairs

Ship-to-ship can be used to transfer maintenance personnel and equipment. This prevents the ship from returning to port for repairs and the ship remains in service.

Ship-to-ship requirements

The following requirements must be met when conducting a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer:

  1. Crew training: All crew involved in the operation must receive specialized training. This will ensure they are familiar with the procedures and safety measures.

  2. Appropriate equipment: Both vessels must be equipped with the necessary and complete STS equipment, such as pneumatic fenders, hoses, etc.

  3. Pre-planning: Plan transshipment details before the operation. Also, provide the cargo’s quantity and type.

  4. Port authorization: Approval from the port authority is required to ensure compliance.

  5. Understanding cargo characteristics: Understand the nature of the cargo and provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and UN numbers.

  6. Channels of communication: Clear channels of communication need to be established between the two vessels to ensure smooth flow of information.

  7. Safety briefings: Provide safety briefings to all crew on cargo related hazards such as VOC emissions.

  8. Firefighting and oil spill prevention equipment: Both vessels should be equipped with firefighting and oil spill prevention equipment, and crew should be trained in its use.

  9. Compliance with international standards: Comply with international maritime guidelines such as MARPOL, MEPC 59, etc. to ensure that the operation meets safety and environmental requirements. This ensures that the operation meets the safety and environmental protection requirements.

  10. Risk Assessment and Contingency Plan: Conduct a risk assessment and formulate an emergency response plan to deal with possible accidents.

Two ships are working ship-to-ship

Regulatory Compliance

Ship-to-ship (STS) transshipment must meet various international regulations and safety standards. This ensures operational safety and protects the environment

IMO regulations

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set strict standards for STS operations. The most recent and important of these is MARPOL Annex I, Chapter 8. This contains specific pollution prevention requirements for STS operations. It applies to tankers over 150 gross tons. It is worth noting that this does not include bunkering and platform operations.

STS operations plan

Must be approved by the competent authority and the plan needs to be written in the ship’s working language.

The operational plan is to comply with the requirements of IMO and relevant international guidelines.

Record keeping

All STS operations need to be recorded in the oil record book and kept for at least 3 years.

Detailed records are also required in the STS operations log book.

Advance Notification

Notify the coastal authorities at least 48 hours before the operation. Provide details of the vessel name, oil type, and time of operation.

If there is a delay in the expected arrival time, reconfirmation of the information is required within 6 hours.

Summarize

The above is the relevant information about ship-to-ship operations compiled by HENGER. If you still have any questions about this, please feel free to discuss.

As a manufacturer of marine equipment in China, we can provide comprehensive solutions for your offshore operations.

Whether you are looking for ship-to-ship or harbor operations, our fenders and airbags can provide you with reliable support.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest
Latest News
Contact Information

Customised from the factory today!

HENGER will offer the best product prices to ensure your 100% satisfaction