1 GENERAL

1.1 CHEMICAL TANKER CARGOES

Chemical tanker cargoes may be divided into four main groups:

1) Petrochemicals. This is the collective name for organic chemicals derived from crude oil,
natural gas and coal.

2) Alcohols & Carbohydrates. Alcohols may be derived from Hydrocarbons or may be produced by
fermentation of carbohydrates.

3) Vegetable & Animal Oils & Fats. Derived from the seeds of plants and the fat of animals or
fish.

4) Acids & Inorganic Chemicals. Inorganic chemicals are those which are not produced from
living or once living organisms. Acids may be organic or inorganic

1.2 TYPES OF CHEMICAL TANKERS

A modern chemical tanker is designed to carry some of the several hundred hazardous products
covered by the IMO Bulk Chemicals Code (IBC), such vessels can be generally grouped as follows:

 Sophisticated Parcel Chemical Tankers - these are typically up to 40,000 tonnes DWT with several
small tanks, each with a separate pump, dedicated liquid and vapour pipelines capable of carrying
several small parcels of high grade chemicals. These ships typically have several tanks constructed
of stainless steel and may also have deck tanks.

 Product / Chemical Tankers – of a similar size to the parcel chemical tankers but with fewer tanks
which are usually coated rather than of stainless construction and with less sophisticated pumping
and pipeline systems. These tankers usually trade with less sophisticated chemicals and are
extensively utilised for the carriage of clean products and feed stock chemicals. e.g EDC,SM,
Benzene, Paraxylene etc

 Specialised Chemical Carriers – these are usually small to medium sized vessels, often on
dedicated trades usually carrying a single grade such as an acid, molten sulphur, methanol, palm
oil etc. Cargo tanks may be of stainless steel or coated dependent on the intended trade of the
vessel.

1.3 DEPARTURE FROM THESE PROCEDURES

The first consideration of the Master and every Officer must be the safety of the lives on board and
that of the ship, her cargo and the environment.

Where a deviation from the Company's Instructions/procedures is found to be necessary the Master
will report this to the Company at the first opportunity.

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1.4 REFERENCE PUBLICATIONS
The Company recognises the importance of certain reference publications and these are listed as
appropriate. These publications are to be made available to all on board.

The recommendations of these publications are to be adopted as standard procedures, and are to be
read in conjunction with these procedures.

Reference publications will be updated through the Company’s Chart and Publication New Edition
scheme in accordance with SAF 18. Superseded publications are to be removed and destroyed.

Particular reference should be made to the latest edition of OCIMF’s International Safety Guide for Oil
Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT) and ICS Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals). Guidance contained in
these publications are to be complied with unless Company procedures demand additional controls,
procedures and precautions.

1.5 APPLICABILITY
o The terms “vessel” or “ship” used throughout this document refer to all seagoing vessels
involved in the carriage of liquid dangerous cargoes in bulk.

o “Dangerous cargoes” are those petroleum products with any flash point listed in the Marpol
Convention 73/78 Annex I as amended, noxious and chemical liquid substances listed in the
IBC code Chapter 17, 18 and MEPC 2 Circ (Tripartite Agreements) and Vessels Certificate of
Fitness.

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