GUIDELINES AND RULES FOR
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CLEANING TANKS WITH WATER IN
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GOTHENBURG ENERGY PORT
BACKGROUND AND GENERAL REGULATIONS
1.0 INTERNATIONAL AND SWEDISH RULES 2.3 Reporting
All tank cleaning operations carry a risk for combustion The Master or officer in charge must report to the port of
of flammable gases in the tanks. Cleaning also means the his intention to clean or ventilate the ship’s tanks at least
emission of flammable and hazardous gases. Tanks may 6 hours prior to commencing the work.
only be cleaned in the port area provided all the conditions
2.4 Checklist
stipulated in these rules are met.
Tank cleaning operations may only commence after the
For operations on oil tankers, the International Chamber checklist (appendix) has been completed by the Master or
of Shipping, the Oil Companies International Marine Forum officer in charge and approved by the responsible terminal
and the International Association of Ports and Harbours representative.
have published safety guidelines in the “International
Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals”, second edition 2.5 Communication
published in 1984. When cleaning, ventilating and discharging wash water,
there must be a secure line of communication between the
For operations on chemical tankers, the International
watch officer and the responsible terminal representative
Chamber of Shipping has published safety guidelines in
must be established and maintained.
the Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals).
2.6 Venting
Note A new edition of the Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals)
entitled International Safety Guide for Chemical Tankers Venting may only be done via the tanks’ ventilation systems.
and Terminals is expected to be published in the beginning 2.7 Inspection
of 1987.
The port reserves the right to check that the equipment
With regard to the handling of inert gas systems, there is used for cleaning and venting tanks is in proper condition
also a handbook for the system and guidelines for inert and that the methods stipulated are suitable.
gas facilities, “Revised Guidelines for Inert Gas Systems”
in its latest edition (MSC/Circ 353) adopted by the IMO
Sea Safety Committee, which is to be followed. 3.0 CLEANING SHIP TANKS THAT HAVE CONTAINED
Work on vessels must be carried out in compliance with FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS WITH A FLASHPOINT NOT
the relevant parts of the above-mentioned international EXCEEDING 60° C
guidelines. Introduction
The regulations published by the Swedish Maritime Tanks may only be cleaned in an inert, under-carburetted or
Administration or internationally recognised rules unchecked atmosphere in the port area provided that all the
regarding the vessel’s construction, equipment and safety regulations and conditions below have been met.
handling procedures must be met. 3.1 Inert atmosphere
Before starting tank cleaning operations, the tank
atmosphere must be checked to ensure that the oxygen
2.0 GUIDELINES content does not exceed 8% by volume in the entire tank.
2.1 Gas measuring Throughout the cleaning operations positive pressure
Mandatory gas measurements should be carried out by au- must be maintained in the system. Inert gas supplied to
thorised personnel. This person should be authorised ac- maintain this positive pressure must be carefully checked
cording to Section 2.3.2. The results of the measurement regarding the oxygen content.
must be recorded. If the oxygen content exceeds 8% by volume in the cargo
2.2 Watch officer tank or the slop tank, or if under-pressure has developed
in the tank, the cleaning operations must stop and the tank
2.2.1 The Master of the vessel must appoint a watch officer. The
filled with inert gas until the oxygen content throughout
officer should have special authority for handling cargo oil
the tank is 8% by volume or below. The above-mentioned
and/or chemical cargo, depending on the vessel’s cargo.
statement regarding maximum oxygen content only
2.2.2 There must be proof of this special authority in the form of applies to atmosphere containing hydrocarbons.
a certificate showing that the holder meets all the criteria
In a flammable atmosphere containing gases from
stipulated in Rule V/I, Section 2, or Rule V/2, Section 2 in the
chemicals, the actual safety oxygen content might be
1978 International Convention on Standards of Training,
lower and must be verified in every individual case.
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
Gothenburg Port Authority, June 2018, 10007:1, Edition 2
2.2.3 A watch officer must be present on deck when a tank that
has contained flammable liquids with a flashpoint not
exceeding 60° C (closed container) is being cleaned.
A watch officer must also be on deck when a tank is being
cleaned with wash water at a temperature that is below
the flashpoint of the liquid that the tank has contained,
by a factor of less than 10° C.
2.2.4 A watch officer must also be on deck when wash water
is being pumped ashore.
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GUIDELINES AND RULES FOR
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CLEANING TANKS WITH WATER IN
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GOTHENBURG ENERGY PORT
3.2 Under-carburetted atmosphere 3.3 Unchecked atmosphere
3.2.1 Venting 3.3.1 Maximum tank volume
Before cleaning, the tank must be ventilated until the gas A cargo tank measuring more than 3000 m3 should not
concentration in the atmosphere has been reduced to a be cleaned.
maximum of 10% of the lower flammable limit (LFL).
3.3.2 Capacity of cleaning equipment
During tank cleaning operations, measurements must be
The capacity of each nozzle in the cleaning equipment
taken at regular intervals and, in the initial stages, very
must not exceed 17.5 m3/h, and the total capacity must
frequently. Mechanical ventilation must be continuous.
not exceed 110 m3/h.
If a cargo tank has a ventilation system shared with other
3.3.3 Portable cleaning equipment
tanks and the above-mentioned conditions are not met,
this tank must be separated from the shared ventilation If portable cleaning equipment is being used, all hose
system. connections should be connected before the equipment is
brought into the tank, and they must not be disconnected
3.2.2 Portable cleaning equipment until after the equipment has been removed from the tank.
If portable cleaning equipment is being used, all hose 3.3.4 Recirculation
connections should be connected before the equipment
is put in the tank, and they must not be disconnected until Used wash water must not be recirculated.
after the equipment has been removed from the tank. 3.3.5 Steam
3.2.3 Elevated gas concentration Steam should not be injected into cargo tanks when cleaning.
All cleaning must be stopped if the gas concentration 3.3.6 Chemical additives
rises to 50% of LFL. Cleaning can be restarted when the
gas concentration has dropped to 20% of LFL through Chemical additives must not be used.
prolonged ventilation. 3.3.7 Heating of wash water
When using hot wash water, see Section 3.2.8. Wash water must not be heated to temperatures in excess
3.2.4 Recirculation of 60° C.
Used wash water must not be recirculated. 3.3.8 Draining
3.2.5 Steam Tanks should be drained and water should not be permitted
to accumulate when cleaning. If the water rises to an
Steam should not be injected into cargo tanks when abnormal level, tank cleaning operations must be stopped.
cleaning.
3.3.9 Static electricity
3.2.6 Static electricity
Precautionary measures must be taken to prevent
Precautionary measures must be taken to prevent static electricity according to the guidelines stipulated in
static electricity according to the guidelines stipulated Section 1.0.
in Section 1.0.
3.2.7 Chemical additives
4.0 CLEANING SHIP TANKS THAT HAVE CONTAINED
Chemical additives may be used if the temperature of the FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS WITH A FLASHPOINT
wash water does not exceed 60° C. The Master or officer in EXCEEDING 60° C
charge must ensure that there are adequate facilities for Cargo tanks may be cleaned with water that does not
discharging such chemically contaminated wash water. contain any chemical additives and which has a temperature
3.2.8 Cleaning with hot water that is at least 10° C lower than the flashpoint of the liquid
previously stored in the tank. In other cases the precautionary
Hot water can be used for cleaning under the following measures in Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 apply.
conditions:
– If the temperature of the wash water does not exceed
60° C, cleaning operations must be stopped if the gas 5.0 SLOP TANK
concentration rises to 50% of LFL. The use of slop or cargo tanks for recirculating or collecting
wash water is only allowed on permission by authorised
– If the temperature of the wash water exceeds 60° C,
responsible terminal representative.
cleaning operations must be stopped if the gas
Gothenburg Port Authority, June 2018, 10007:2, Edition 2
concentration rises to 35% of LFL. Note There is always a risk of gas and electrostatic charges
being transferred to a slop tank by draining with the risk of
– Cleaning operations that have been interrupted should
the atmosphere in the slop tank becoming flammable and
only be resumed when the gas concentration has dropped
electrostatically charged. A slop tank that is not protected
to 20% of LFL through prolonged ventilation.
by an inert gas system must be carefully ventilated in order
3.2.9 Draining to keep the atmosphere under-carburetted, which can be
easily done by keeping the highest possible liquid level.
Cargo tanks should be drained and water should not be Checking by measuring should be done at frequent intervals
permitted to accumulate when cleaning. If the water rises or continuously. Free fall of wash water is not allowed in
to an abnormal level, tank cleaning operations must be slop or cargo tanks. The safety oxygen content might be
stopped. lower and must be verified in every individual case.
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CHECKLIST FOR CLEANING CARGO TANKS
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IN GOTHENBURG ENERGY PORT
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Ship´s Name ......................................................................................... Port ............................................................................. Berth..................................................
Date cleaning is to be carried out ................................................... Time cleaning is to be carried out, from ..................................... to ................................
This checklist is an addendum to the Ship/Shore Safety Checklist, which should always be completed as soon as a ship moors at a berth.
Cargo tanks may not be cleaned before the checklist has been completed and permission has been granted by the responsible terminal
representative. Cleaning operations must be stopped immediately if conditions onboard or onshore so demand. Cleaning operations must
not be resumed until the responsible terminal representative has granted permission to do so.
A GENERAL (MUST ALWAYS BE ANSWERED) Yes No Comment
Are all ship’s officers onboard familiar with the current rules regarding tank cleaning
A1 operations in the port? £ £
Have necessary communication lines been established between the ship and berth,
A2 and are these being maintained? £ £
A3 Will the ship’s cargo tanks be ventilated? £ £
A4 Have the cargo tanks to be cleaned contained liquids with a flashpoint below 60° C? £ £
Is the temperature of the wash water lower than the flashpoint of the liquids in
A5 the cargo tank – by a factor of less than 10° C? £ £
A6 Is the wash water temperature gauge system fully operational and in good working order? £ £
Has a watch officer with approved certification been appointed to supervise the deck
A7 throughout the cleaning operations? £ £
A8 Will wash water be pumped ashore during the cleaning operations? £ £
If yes to A8: Has a watch officer with approved certification been appointed to supervise
A9 the deck when the wash water is being pumped ashore? £ £
B CLEANING IN AN INERT ATMOSPHERE
B1 Will cleaning operations be carried out in an inert atmosphere? £ £
Is the inert gas system and necessary measuring equipment fully operational
B2 and in good working order? £ £
C CLEANING IN AN UNDER-CARBURETTED ATMOSPHERE
C1 Will cleaning operations be carried out in an under-carburetted atmosphere? £ £
C2 Is the necessary gas measuring equipment fully operational and in good working order? £ £
D CLEANING IN AN UNCHECKED ATMOSPHERE
Will cleaning operations be carried out in an atmosphere other than an inert or
D1 under-carburetted atmosphere? £ £
Is the volume of the cargo tanks to be cleaned less than 3000 m each, and is the capacity 3
D2 of each washing nozzle less than 17.5 m3/h and is the total capacity of all nozzles in
each tank less than 110 m3/h?
£ £
I the undersigned have checked the items on this checklist and am The ship is permitted to carry out tank cleaning operations
satisfied that the entries made are correct to the best of my knowledge. provided that the rules and regulations are followed at all times.
I have also familiarised myself with the current rules regarding tank
cleaning operations with water in the port and undertake to follow them.
Gothenburg Port Authority, June 2018, 10007:3, Edition 2
Date ......................................................................................................................... Date ................................................................................................................
Ship.......................................................................................................................... PORT OF GOTHENBURG
Signature ................................................................................................................ Signature .......................................................................................................
Name in full............................................................................................................ Name in full...................................................................................................
Rank......................................................................................................................... Position ..........................................................................................................
Your personal data on this document is processed by the Port of Gothenburg. The processing is made for security reasons stipulated by law.
Your personal data will stored and removed after two years. More detailed information how we handle your personal data in accordance with
the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can be found at www.goteborgshamn.se/gdpr
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