2 Loading Manuals

2.1 General requirements

2.1.1 Definition

The approved loading manual is to be based on the final data of the ship.

A loading manual is a document which describes:

• The loading conditions on which the design of the ship has been based for seagoing and harbour/sheltered water, including permissible limits of still water bending moment and shear force. The conditions specified in the ballast water exchanging procedure and dry docking procedure are to be included in the loading manual,
• The results of the calculations of still water bending moments, shear forces and where applicable limitations due to lateral loads,
• The allowable local loading for the structure (e.g. hatch covers, decks, double bottom, etc), where applicable,
• The relevant operational limitations.

2.1.2 Condition of approval

The approved loading manual is to be based on the final data of the ship.

Modifications resulting in changes to the main data of the ship (e.g. lightship weight, buoyancy distribution, tank volumes or usage, etc), require the loading manual to be updated and re-approved, and subsequently the loading computer system to be updated and re-approved. However, new loading guidance and an updated loading manual need not be resubmitted provided that the resulting draughts, still water bending moments and shear forces do not differ from the originally approved data by more than 2%.

The loading manual is to be prepared in a language understood by the users. If this language is not English, a translation into English is to be included.

2.1.3 Loading conditions

The loading manual is to include the design (cargo and ballast) loading conditions, subdivided into departure and arrival conditions as appropriate, upon which the approval of the hull scantlings is based, as defined in Ch 4, Sec 8.

The loading conditions common to both oil tankers and bulk carriers are listed in Ch 4, Sec 8, [2].

2.1.4 Operational limitations

The loading manual is to describe relevant operational limitations:

• Scantling draught,
• Design minimum ballast draught at midships,
• Design slamming ballast draught forward with forward double bottom ballast tanks filled,
• Design slamming ballast draught forward with any of the forward double bottom ballast tanks empty,
• Maximum allowable cargo density,
• Maximum cargo density in any loading condition in the Loading Manual,
• Maximum service speed,
• Envelope results and permissible limits of still water bending moments and shear forces.

The loading manual must indicate that bulk carriers cannot be operated in seagoing conditions with ballast cargo holds partially filled.

2.2 Requirements specific to oil tankers

2.2.1 The loading manual is to contain the loading conditions described in Ch 4, Sec 8, [3].

This requirement applies in addition to [2.1].

2.3 Requirements specific to bulk carriers

2.3.1 The loading manual is to contain the loading conditions described in Ch 4, Sec 8, [4].

This requirement applies in addition to [2.1].

2.3.2 The loading manual is to describe:

• Envelope results and permissible limits of still water bending moments and shear forces in the flooded conditions according to Ch 4, Sec 4,
• The cargo hold(s) or combination of cargo holds that might be empty at full draught. If no cargo hold is allowed to be empty at full draught, this is to be clearly stated in the loading manual,
• Maximum allowable and minimum required mass of cargo and double bottom contents of each hold as a function of the draught at mid-hold position as defined in Ch 4, Sec 8, [4.3],
• Maximum allowable and minimum required mass of cargo and double bottom contents of any two adjacent holds as a function of the mean draught in way of these holds. This mean draught may be calculated by averaging the draught of the two mid-hold positions as defined in Ch 4, Sec 8, [4.3],
• Maximum allowable tank top loading together with specification of the nature of the cargo for cargoes other than bulk cargoes,
• Maximum allowable load on deck and hatch covers. If the ship is not approved to carry load on deck or hatch covers, this is to be clearly stated in the loading manual,
• Maximum rate of ballast change together with the advice that a load plan is to be agreed with the terminal on the basis of the achievable rates of change of ballast.

2.3.3 The additional following loading conditions, subdivided into departure and arrival conditions as appropriate, are to be included in the loading manual:

• Homogeneous light and heavy cargo loading conditions at maximum draught,
• Alternate light and heavy cargo loading conditions at maximum draught, where applicable,
• Ballast conditions. For ships having ballast holds adjacent to topside wing, hopper and double bottom tanks, it shall be strengthwise acceptable that the ballast holds are filled when the topside wing, hopper and double bottom tanks are empty,
• Short voyage conditions, i.e. the ship is loaded to maximum draught but with a limited amount of bunkers, where appropriate,
• Multiple port loading/unloading conditions,
• Deck cargo conditions, where applicable,
• Typical sequences for change of ballast at sea, where applicable,
• Typical loading sequences where the ship is loaded from commencement of cargo loading to reaching full deadweight capacity, for homogeneous conditions, relevant part load conditions and alternate conditions where applicable. Typical unloading sequences for these conditions are also to be included. The typical loading/unloading sequences are also to be developed to not exceed applicable strength limitations. The typical loading sequences are also to be developed paying due attention to loading rate and the deballasting capability. Figure 1 contains, as guidance only, an example of a Loading Sequence Summary Form.