Publications - Guides

This guide provides guidance and information on fender selection. All weather associated parameters and STS types are incorporated. Samples for fender selection for normal and reverse lightering are included.
The guide is prepared on a ship specific basis.

This guide provides guidance and information on fender selection for GAS Tankers. All weather associated parameters and STS types are incorporated. Samples for fender selection for normal and reverse lightering are included.
The guide is prepared on a ship specific basis.

It is almost five years since the ratification of MARPOL Annex 1 of Chapter 8 was introduced by the IMO to assist in the prevention oil pollution during ship-to-ship (STS) operations. The legislation has inevitably resulted in more requirements being imposed and made Ship-to-Ship (STS) Operations more complicated for tanker operators. For example, the need for an STS Plan is an additional requirement to an area that is already well governed by OCIMF guidelines.

MARPOL Annex I Chapter 8 requires the integration of the STS plan with the Ship owner’s Safety Management System (SMS) and thus will be opened to scrutiny in the event of an incident and subsequent legal actions.

Tanker operators responsibility in STS operations is not only defined by the existence of an STS plan, they have to take a justified approach that takes into account commercial and safety considerations.

This guide is produced to provide answers to questions associated with the required knowledge of tanker operators and their senior officers for STS Operations. This is the first edition and it is aimed to include as many questions and answers as possible, with future editions expected to include further FAQs, as those are raised by the industry.

Question numbering is unique and will remain unchanged in future editions for more efficient reference.

Vessels are presented in C/P’s through Q88 or HVPQ questionnaires which include description of the operating conditions and other parameters that enable the charterer to conclude on subject vessel commitment.

Technical operators are requested to declare at HVPQ question 13.1.1 or Q88 question 8.26 whether their vessel complies with the recommendations contained in OCIMF/ICS guidelines.

A "YES" as an answer, although it seems to be the obvious one, it simultaneously bares a level of responsibility which is reflected through your vessels representation to commercial operators and charterers.

This abstract guide aims in providing the steps towards a proposed verification for determining the level of vessel’s compliance based on criteria included at latest ICS/OCIMF/SIGTTO/CDI STS guidelines edition 2013.

The hard-copy guide is accompanied with ship specific spreadsheet tables for the evaluation process. The evaluation could be undertaken by DYNAMARINe personnel subject request.

The objective of this report is to assist ship owners in their STS risk analysis when planning an STS transfer in those regions. For members of STS Experts, more analytical data is available. The statistical output, as presented in this volume, will be accordingly adjusted, due to the fact that OSIS includes a dynamic database that is being updated on a daily basis.

OSIS includes a unique database that encapsulates the individual assessments of master mariners for the performance of participating vessels, STS Service Providers (STS Operators) and POAC's. The assessment forms are completed from Masters upon completion of the STS operations. The more assessments that are registered at OSIS, the more reliable statistical extracts are produced with respect to the performance of participating vessels, the involved STS Service providers and POAC's.

This guide outlines a methodology for implementation of a self assessment methodology from Tanker Operators whose vessels participate in STS (Ship to Ship) Transfer operations.

Although there is no explicit STS assessment within the TMSA procedures of OCIMF, STS Operations are now governed by statutory requirements under the new MARPOL Chapter 8 of ANNEX I. Resolution MEPC 186(59) and the Manual on oil Pollution, section I, prevention indicate procedures that have to be implemented by Tanker Operators who are involved in STS operations.

The quality of services offered by ships, crews and their managers depend a great deal on the level and competency of exercised due diligence prior, during and after each STS transfer. Preservation of high safety standards by Tanker Operators supports their reputation as well as the reputation of cargo owners and their charterers.

Due Diligence in STS Operations is easy to be described, difficult to be recorded and challenging to provide proof that is being followed. STS Experts Team has proved that this is possible with a practicable and turnkey solution.

These guidelines are addressed to all Seafarers, in order to assist and guide them through the functions offered in DYNAMARINe’s STS Experts Platform. The step by step procedure, introduces the users to the main core of the platform and all its applications. Further assistance and training will be provided by qualified DYNAMARINe personnel upon request.