Hold Cleaning: A Practical Overview

Daniel Millett – Senior Master Mariner

March 2021
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Why is Hold Preparation and Cleanliness Can result in substantial claims, delays, additional cleaning
Important?
and survey costs and expensive off-hire disputes.

Potential Reasons for Failing Hold Inspections

• Excessive rust and paint flaking

• Previous Cargo Residues

• Cargo Staining – dirty cargoes such as petcoke and coal.

• Odours – taint from paint or chemicals

• Wetness

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Level of Cleanliness
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Examples of Cargoes Classified by Cleanliness

Clean Cargoes (Hospital Clean - Moderately clean to moderately dirty Dirty Cargoes (are unlikely to be
before loading because they will be cargoes (Typically Grain Clean) contaminated by any small amounts
damaged by any form of of rust or paint from the steel
structures within the hold.)
contamination.)
Alumina Cement Bauxite
Chromite Ore Fertilisers Nickel Ore
Fluorspar Grain Petcoke
Mineral Sands Salt Some types of Coal
Soda Ash Seed Cake Some types of Scrap Metal

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Clean Cargoes usually defined by There should be no rust, no loose rust, no loose paint
‘Hospital Clean’
flakes and no previous cargo residues.

Ideally – All steel surfaces and fixtures, including the tank

top plating within compartment, should have good, overall
paint coating.

Usually only achievable by vessels that only trade clean

cargoes.

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Painting of Hold Structures (Maintenance) Painting should be done in

accordance with the vessel’s
paint specification and paint
manufacturer’s guidance.

Steel work should be properly

prepared.

A number of cases where the

vessel is required to be ‘hospital
clean’ and the crew attempt to
paint the structures and tank-top.

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‘What is a ‘Grain Clean’ Standard of Cleanliness? Clean’
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‘Grain Clean’ USDA (Directive of the Federal Grain Inspection Service for
Stowage Examination Services, section 7 Standard of
Hard or Fitness) gives a standard which is about the average of the
Loose worldwide requirements.

Rust? “A stowage area must comply with the standards of fitness established
herein to be considered clean; dry free of infestation, rodents, toxic
substances and foreign odour…”

Rust and Paint Scale 1

“A stowage area must not contain more than 25 square feet of loose rust
scale or paint scale in a single area or more than 100 square feet of loose
rust scale or paint scale in aggregate.”
“Loose scale will break when struck with the fist if when light pressure is
applied with a scraper/knife under the edge.”

Generally hard adhering rust is acceptable for a ‘grain

clean’ standard.
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‘Grain Clean’ Commonly used definition referred to in a number of P&I

Clubs publications is a National Cargo Bureau, Inc. (NCB)
definition.

“CLEANLINESS. It is essential that all spaces intended for

grain be thoroughly clean (i.e. free of previous cargo
residues and other contaminants, free of odor and free of
loose rust or paint scale).

Both NCB and USDA have slightly different interpretations

of ‘Grain Clean.’ with regards rust and paint scale.

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The Reality The hold cleanliness standard of loading grain (wheat) at

Australia and Canada may be more stringent than say soya
beans from a South American port.

Some ports/cargo exporters in the world, may allow some

minor loose rust and/or paint at the low end of the ‘grain
clean’ band.

Conversely, some port and exporting countries require a

slightly higher standard ‘grain clean’. [ Chilean Nitrates ]

Could be down to the individual surveyor based on their

interpretation, experience and/or unfortunately who they
are working on behalf.

Ideally a prudent Master should aim to remove as much

loose rust and paint as possible to remove possibility of
failing a hold inspection.

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Owners Brought in Shoreside Gang To Remove Hard Rust – High Pressure

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Summary As we can see ‘Grain Clean’ is not so much a specified standard, but,
rather, a band or range of cleanliness for a range of different cargoes.

Master to be aware of the required cleanliness for each cargo and to

clarify any discrepancies in V/I and C/P.

Be mindful that different countries and surveyors may have a slightly

different interpretation.

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Preparation of the holds – To Consider The Master should review the voyage instructions and
Charterparty and by consulting with the vessel’s
managers/charterers. Master to clarify if there are any
discrepancies.

Is there sufficient equipment on board?

A) Chemicals and applicators

B) Hoses, brooms, extendable poles and scrapers

C) mucking winch and waste drums

Most well managed bulk carriers these days should a have

Combi Gun or similar.

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Preparation of the Holds – To Consider Time required between ports for hold cleaning.- weather on
voyage, crew Hours of Rest Regulations

Paintwork Protection – Hold Block or Limewash

Wash water, cargo residues and MARPOL considerations –

Wilden pump and hoses into a designated holding tank for
discharge ashore.

Maintain good records – Superintendent should consider

request regular photographic reports on hold
cleaning/maintenance.

In the event of cargo claims good records/logs will assist

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The Future

https://www.j-l.com/lauritzen-bulkers-and-cliin- https://www.maritime-executive.com/features/shipowners-
collaborate-robots-clean-cargo-holds save-time-and-money-with-cliin-cargo-hold-robot-1

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