Ship To Ship
(STS)
PPT REFERENCE : MP2 / 01A-3.5
Prepared by Capt RAJIV K VIG
Reviewed by Capt SUNIL BHABHA
DATED : 18 May 2019
Reviewed : 06 MAY 2020
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SHIP TO SHIP TRANSFER GUIDE
* “Ship to Ship Transfer Guide for Petroleum, Chemicals and
Liquefied Gases” is an industry Guide that provides
recommendations on Safety, Minimum Equipment levels and good
operating practices for STS Transfer operations
* The Guide provides advice for Masters, Marine Superintendents
and others, such as STS Service providers, involved in the planning
and execution of STS operations
* Particular attention is given to the effective planning of
operations and aspects including risk assessment, ship
compatibility, and the management of workloads to minimise
fatigue
* This guide is jointly published by OCIMF, ICS, CDI & SIGTTO and
is a required publication as per SIRE Vessel Inspection
Questionnaire for all tankers
* The latest edition is the 2013 edition that supersedes all
previous
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Contents Of The STS Transfer Guide:
Section 1: General Principles
Section 2: Conditions and Requirements
Section 3: Safety
Section 4: Communications
Section 5: Operational Preparations
Section 6: Manoeuvring and Mooring
Section 7: Procedures Alongside
Section 8: Unmooring
Section 9: Equipment
Section 10: Emergencies
Appendices:
(Additional considerations for STS transfers involving MARPOL
Annex I, II cargoes
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TYPICAL CHECKLISTS FOR STS OPERATION :
CHECKLIST 1 – PRE-FIXTURE INFORMATION ( FOR EACH SHIP)
CHECKLIST 2- BEFORE OPERATIONS COMMENCE
CHECKLIST 3- BEFORE RUN-IN AND MOORING
CHECKLIST 4 – BEFORE CARGO TRANSFER
CHECKLIST 5 – BEFORE UNMOORING
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Name of Ship -xxxxxx
FLAG/PORT OF REGISTRY -PANAMA
IMO NO xxxxxxx
CALL SIGN - xxxxxx
Type of Ship -Oil/Chemical Tanker:type II,III
LOA -179.80m
LBP -171.0m
M.Breadth -32.20m
M.depth -18.8m
No of Cargo tank -20 Tanks & Inorganic Zinc
Type of cargo pump - Framo SD-150
Net Tonnage -11956.00mts
Gross Tonnage -27950.00mts
Main engine type -Mitsui B&W 7S50 mark 6
Main engine HP/KW -13580/10131 (MCR)
Service speed -15.08 knots @ 39.00MT/day
SHIP’S PARTICULARS
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SHIP-TO-SHIP TRANSFER Operations
What is an STS operation ?
It is the transfer of Crude oil OR other Petroleum products between
two Tankers while the two ships are Underway Or at Anchor.
Why is it required ?
A few reasons :
1. The terminal cannot accept due to no ullage space available ,or,
2. Charterers want to send the cargo out in smaller parcels to various
destinations on smaller ships,or,
3. Large tankers are often used as temporary storage facility of petroleum
products and therefore need to be lightened on an on-going basis, or,
4. For a faster turnaround
5. Either the Port or the terminal cannot accept a ship due to its draft or
size , or,
6. For bunkering & the vessel needs6 to be lightened due to an Emergency.
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What are Fenders and what is their Purpose?
1.Typically, in the Marine business, there are Two
types of fenders.
2.The common name widely used is : Yokohama
Fenders.
3.They can either be of the Pneumatic or Foam filled
type. The preferred type being : Pneumatic
Fenders.
4.Their purpose is to absorb the impact energy when
two ships are coming together thus avoiding any
contact damages to the ships structure.
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Primary Fenders:
Secondary fenders, Placed in the water along the
ships side (at the parallel body
Also referred to as
of the ship) and always tied by
Baby fenders. They are
chains to the Mother vessel.
lighter in weight.
The selection of size is
They are placed on the
governed by OCIMF regulations
curvature of the ship
(depending upon the length and
and their purpose is to
size of STS vessels involved).
avoid possibility of any
contact between the
two ships while
berthing and un- Mooring Lines
berthing.
Mooring Lines
Keeping Both
Ships Together
Mother Vessel Daughter Vessel
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Ship Rigged With Primary And Secondary Fenders
Secondary Fenders OR Primary Fenders
Baby fenders
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STS
Pneumatic Fenders
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YOKOHAMA FENDERS
Being transported to a vessel for S-T-S
operations
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A) How do two ships come alongside and moor safely ? : Berthing
Venture effect is created
between Two ships and
hence sucked in bodily to
come along side each
other
The Daughter vessel in
the process of
approaching the mother
vessel
Mother Vessel
Once the mooring
operations are completed ,
the two vessels are
considered to be connected
as “a unit” and the
transfer of cargo between
the two vessels can be
carried out either at Anchor
or whilst they are
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How is it done ?
The Mother
The Daughter vessel
vessel OR the OR Ship to be
Receiving lightened (STBL)
Ship receives is the
cargo from the discharging ship.
mother vessel.
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Secondary / Baby fenders
APPROACH
BERTHING
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Transferring of the personnel safely
between the TWO S-T-S SHIPS
A typical personnel TRANSFER
BASKET
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How is cargo transferred ?
Flexible Hoses
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Flexible Hoses
• Cargo is transferred between the two ships
using flexible hoses.
• These hoses are connected in lengths to Suit
the freeboard difference between both the ships.
Adequate length is predetermined and supplied.
• The size of the hose used depends upon the
transfer rate involved.
• All such information is provided to both the
vessels Prior their engagement using standard S-
T-S check lists.
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Other Tanker Emergencies That can happen.
• Pollution.
• Fire.
• Gas Accumulation on deck.
What NEEDS to be done in an EMERGENCY?
• Stop the cargo transfer immediately !
• Sound the Emergency signal.
• Inform crew on both ships of the nature of the emergency.
• “Man” the emergency stations.
• Initiate emergency procedures.
• Drain / disconnect hoses.
• Send mooring gangs to stations.
• Confirm Ship’s main engine is ready for immediate use.
• Advise standby boat of the situation and any requirements.
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What can go wrong during a S-T-S Operation ?
1. Sharp angle of approach while berthing may
result in an impact and cause serious hull
damage and pollution.
2. Parting of mooring lines may cause contact and
damage. Additionally parting of flexible hose
causing pollution.
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What can go wrong during a STS operation ?
3. Contact between both ships due to parting of Fender
wire or chain .
4. Contact due to sharp angle while casting off .
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