4.2 Procedures
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - BLU Code - Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers – Resolution A.862(20) - Annex - Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers - Section 4 - Procedures Between the Ship and Terminal Prior to Cargo Handling - 4.2 Procedures

4.2 Procedures

  4.2.1 The following are considered important procedures in respect of cargo loading:

  • .1 the master and terminal representative should indicate agreement to the loading plan before commencement of loading by signing the plan in the spaces provided;

  • .2 the master should state on the agreed loading plan, the order in which the holds are to be loaded, the weight of each pour, the total weight in each hold and the amount of cargo for vessel trimming purposes, if required;

  • .3 the terminal representative, on receipt of the ship's initial loading plan (see 3.2.1), should advise the master of the nominal loading rate at which the ship may expect to receive the cargo and the estimated time required to complete each pour;

  • .4 where it is not practical for the ship to completely discharge its ballast water prior to reaching the trimming stage in the loading process, the master and the terminal representative should agree on the times at which loading may need to be suspended and the duration of such suspensions;

  • .5 the loading plan should be prepared so as to ensure that all ballast pumping rates and loading rates are considered carefully to avoid overstressing the hull;

  • .6 the quantities of cargo required to achieve the departure draft and trim should allow for all cargo on the terminal's conveyor systems to be run off and empty on completion of a loading. The terminal representative should advise the master of the nominal tonnage contained on its conveyor system and any requirements for clearing the conveyor system on completion of loading; and

  • .7 communication arrangements between the ship and terminal should be capable of responding to requests for information on the loading process and of prompt compliance in the event that the master or terminal representative orders loading to be suspended. Consideration should be given to the disposition of cargo on, the conveyor systems and the response time in the event of an emergency stop.

  4.2.2 The following are considered important procedures in respect of cargo unloading:

  • .1 the terminal representative when proposing or accepting the initial unloading plan should advise the master of the nominal unloading rate and the estimated time required for each stage of the discharge;

  • .2 the master should advise the hold order and the weight to be unloaded in each stage of the discharge;

  • .3 the terminal representative should give the ship the maximum warning when it is intended to increase, or to reduce, the number of unloading heads used; and

  • .4 communication arrangements between ship and terminal should be capable of responding to requests for information on the unloading process, and of prompt compliance in the event the master orders unloading to be suspended.


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