CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016

 
This document is meant to serve as a general guidance to all vessels when required to prepare
the cargo holds for loading any cargo. Hold cleaning is very important operation as it has far
reaching commercial implications, and thus masters are expected to exercise prudent
seamanship. The process is generally standard in nature, and well known to any experienced
seaman, and thus only the below guidance. Additionally, industry guidelines from 3rd party
inspectors (ACME) and port authorities on cleaning of cargo hold has also been included. Bulk
Cargoes – Hold Preparation and Cleaning from the Standard, is also being forwarded for
reference.

1) Planning in advance:
‐ Plan the discharge sequence, (try best possible) such that the stevedores complete a cargo
hold, in a sequence, which gives sufficient time for crew, to sweep or shovel and collect
residual cargo form the hold, before the next hold is completed. This can then be
discharged ashore or at least left on deck in drums
‐ Prepare equipment, like cargo lights, harnesses, safety lines, shovels, brooms, additional
drums, jumbo bags, long handle scrappers, extension poles, air hoses etc.
‐ Check if adequate chemical are available on board.
‐ Check that both FW High pressure Kew machines are fully functional.
‐ Check that the Sea Water hoses and nozzles are in order.
‐ Take in to account the condition of the present cargo; i.e. it a dirty cargo like coal or
petcoke or cement / the cargo to be loaded for the next voyage e.g. if grain or alumina
like cargos are to be loaded, it will require extensive cleaning to grain clean standards / the
available time / the weather conditions;
2) Whilst in port, during discharge operations:
‐ During stevedore’s breaks, ship staffs to be used to dis-lodge cargo at higher levels,
behind the frames, under side of cross decks. (These areas are generally difficult to access
from the tank top, or even with a scaffold)
‐ Ship staff to assist the stevedores towards the completion of the discharge in each hold
(when possible). This will be beneficial, as ship staff will take greater care, whereas the
 CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
 
stevedores will only be in a hurry to complete discharge / vessel. E.g., if the bilges covers
have been displaced, or the burlap has been torn, and the cargo has found its way into the
cargo hold bilges, ship staff can clean and remove maximum possible, and discharge same
along with other cargo. If not same can be collected in drums, and before the cranes are
secured, same can be cleared form the holds and secured on deck.
‐ The duty officer should also check the holds for damages now (if not done earlier) and
report any damages.
‐ When possible crew may start sweeping, shoveling, chemical application, washing whilst in
port (transfer wash water into dirty water tanks). This will help and give some additional
valuable time.

3) Cleaning Process:
‐ The Master, Chief Engineer, Chief Officer and Bosun, should discuss and plan the hold
cleaning, depending on the number of days available, the residual cargo left in each hold,
the next cargo to be loaded, whether vessel will require to use chemicals or not.
‐ Work planned for the day. At the end of the day, review the work completed, and discuss /
plan the work for the next day.

4) Common points to address in any cleaning of a cargo hold are as under:

‐ Removal of all residual cargo (no hold will pass an inspection if traces of previous
cargo is located by the inspector) 
‐ Loose Paint flakes  
‐ Loose rust scales (Loose Rust Scale to be "Faired Smooth" with scrappers, but preferably
with electric angle grinders, prior to any painting / NOTE: Painting on unprepared surfaces
is not acceptable)
‐ Previous Cargo Stains – As to the cleaning of the cargo stains( on bulkheads , hoppers,
tank top), it may take a couple of attempts to remove the discoloration, because if it is
"Ingrained Cargo Residues", you may need to SOFTEN UP with water by HP Cleaning, allow
to soak, then re-apply the HP Cleaning again to remove.
 CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
 

5) Areas that need close up inspection and additional care:

‐ Behind Frames / On Stiffeners
‐ Underside of the cross decks (very important)
‐ Ladders (Australian in particular, but also the vertical ladder)
‐ Sounding pipes / air escape pipes / Pipe clamps, supports
‐ Bilges (To be clean, dry and odour free)
‐ Manholes covers (generally small residual pieces of cargo / grain get lodged between the
nuts and have to be cleared away)
‐ Drain valves (ensure that the valves are flushed with sea water and clean of residual cargo)
‐ Hatch coaming / hatch cover center joints (not cargo residue and no loose rust and paint
flakes)
‐ Hatch cover ventilators
‐ Hatch Coamings / Drain Channels
‐ Lower Hopper plates / Lower Stool spaces

               
 CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
 

                 

                     
 CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
 

                

              

6) Below are sample reason, resulting to hold cleanliness failure. Thus are the vulnerable
areas which need special care.

7) Reporting: we suggest to report the condition of the cargo holds daily, whilst the holds are
being cleaned, such that MM and TM, can advise the vessel if required.
‐ Proposed format as attached, for each hold, please forward, about 10 photographs
‐ a) Fwd Bulkhead
 CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
 
‐ b) Aft Bulkhead
‐ c) Port Bulkhead
‐ d) Starboard bulkhead
‐ e) Tank top
‐ f) Sample manhole
‐ g) C/H Bilge
‐ h) Fwd Underdeck section ( i.e. beneath the cross deck)
‐ i) Aft Underdeck section
‐ J) Port or Stbd hatch coaming

‐ A] On completion of discharge and sweeping by ship staff (a, b, c, d, e)

‐ B] On completion of washing of the cargo holds, i.e. after chemical treatment (if required)
and hose down by Sea Water (all of the above)

Request to fwd photographs of sufficient size, and adequately proportioned i.e. “overview”
or “a close-up”, such as to give us a fair idea of the condition of the holds. This will help us
discuss with the vessel, if required, and also advise owners / operators of any difficulties
faced.

8) Chemical washing:
‐ After the holds are clean swept or shoveled or dry cleaned with air, before the introduction
of any water, the chemicals should be applied. Generally, it would be best to apply any
chemical “concentrated” all over the bulkhead. However, please refer/be guided by the
manufactures prescribed application instruction. The concentrated chemical should be left
on the bulkhead for about 20 minutes or as prescribed by the manufacture. The Chemical
are then washed off using a full sea water wash. This is always followed by a Fresh Water
wash.
 CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
 
‐ Please keep the TM advised of the intended cargo to be loaded, well in advance, in order
that the purchase team may arrange the necessary chemicals. Please advise the ROBs on
board, and age of the chemicals. Suggest to avoid stocking excessive amount of chemicals,
as in time, they lose their potency.

Above, is the condition of the cargo hold bulkheads on the African Raptor. Even after
cleaning with chemical Aqua Tuff, the bulkheads were in a state that would not be
acceptable to any inspector. The ship crew had to use the scaffold, and scrub with cloth,
brushes and hose down at close range using the High pressure machine. Yet, the vessel
failed hold inspection and required assistance form a shore gang.

9) Hold Cleaning Equipment: Pls kindly liase with the vessels TM and ensure that the
standard list of equipment is available on board. Pls review stock and condition on board,
ensure adequate stock of paint and chemicals are available on board, for emergency use.
(Take into consideration, the next cargo to be loaded, the present conditions of the cargo
hold, the convenience of the ports being called). Pls liase and discuss with the vessel
technical manager.
‐ Particular attention to a 10 M Scaffold
 CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
 
‐ FW High Pressure Kew Machine with Accessories. Pls ensure that adequate spare HP hoses
are available. At any given time (particularly, when a quick results are expected), vessel must
have two fully functional HP machines with all necessary accessories. Sometimes, it comes
to a stage, when the stubborn stains for cargoes like coal / petcoke, reduce with chemicals
but can only be removed by hosing down at a close range (a few cm, from the
bulkhead, because it appears that cargo dust gets ingrained in the paint)
‐ On completion of the cleaning, pls exercise diligence and clean / flush all equipment with
fresh water. E.g. a diaphragm pump or the Kew machine if used for chemical washing
should be flushed with fresh water, before storing. All equipment should be stored in the
designated place, ensuring not damaged in heavy weather and easily available for the next
cleaning.

10) Monitoring & Reporting by senior management: In order to clear the hold inspection in
the first attempt, we request involvement of senior management, to plan & guide
personnel, conduct a preliminary check, identify shortcoming / difficulties, estimate
realistically the time expected for hold readiness, update frequently on progress made
in hold cleaning and rectify before being pointed out by a third party. Request Master’s to
personally accompany the Ch. officer and inspect all the holds, before declaring that the
vessel is ready for loading.
Keeping DSM and Operator updated, about the condition of the cargo hold, is very
important, whether good or bad. In doing so, we/operators will be in a better position to
consider (if possible) a few days at anchor or consider appointing a 3rd party to assess and
guide the vessel (if required), or consider appointing additional equipment or a shore gang
to clean the holds (obviously this is a last resort)
 CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
 
11) 3rd Party Guidance: Below appended are the guidance received from various parties.
You will notice, that the guidance is more or less very similar.

From ACME Marine:

a. Hatch Covers / Trackways / Ledges

The leading edges of the hatch cover pontoons, cross-joints, drain channels, around the
perimeter of the hatch cover (packing rubber / channel bar), cement loading ports (if any),
within the ventilation recesses / inspection doors and on the underside of the hatch covers, all
hatch cover trackways / drain holes to be clean and free of all debris and contaminants.
Please ensure the same are clean and free of any debris, contaminants, including all flaky paint,
loose / blistering / hard rust scale (including transferrable staining).

b. Internal Coamings

Surveyor will check all corner ledges, cantilevers and plating, to be free of all / any visible
contaminants.
Please ensure the same are clean and free of any debris, contaminants, including all flaky paint,
loose / blistering rust scale (including transferrable staining).

C. Manhole Access ways & Void / Recess Areas (Fore & Aft)

Surveyor will check internal ledges, manhole covers and plating and all adjacent void / recess
areas.
Please ensure the same are clean and free of any debris, contaminants, including all flaky paint,
loose / blistering rust scale (including residual water).

d. Underdeck Areas (Fore & Aft)

When standing on the upper resting platform / upper part of the hold access ladder, all ledges,
beams, cantilevers, etc., to be free of all / any visible contaminants.
 CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
 
Please ensure the same are clean and free of any debris, contaminants, including all flaky paint,
loose / blistering rust scale (including transferrable staining).

e. Bulkheads (Fore & Aft)

Surveyor will check behind and on the pipes, pipe brackets, protection bars/plates, within the
corrugations, access ways / ladders, resting platforms, etc.
Please ensure the same are clean and free of any debris, contaminants, including all flaky paint,
loose / blistering rust scale (including transferrable staining).

f. Lower Bulkheads Plating (Fore & Aft)

Please ensure that the surface plating is free of all flaky paint, loose / blistering rust scale and
all other debris / contaminants, as mentioned above (including transferrable staining).
Mechanical Score Marks and Loose Blistering Rust Scale to be “Faired Smooth” with scrappers,
but preferably with electric angle grinders, prior to any painting.
NOTE: No painting on unprepared surfaces is acceptable.

g. Port & Starboard Side Upper Hoppers

Please ensure that the surface plating is free of all flaky paint, loose / blistering rust scale and
all other debris / contaminants (including transferrable staining).

h. Port & Starboard Flush Plating

Please ensure that the surface plating is free of all flaky paint, loose / blistering rust scale and
all other debris / contaminants (including transferrable staining).
Mechanical Score Marks and Loose Blistering Rust Scale to be “Faired Smooth” with scrappers,
but preferably with electric angle grinders, prior to any painting.
NOTE: No painting on unprepared surfaces is acceptable.

i. Tank Top
 CLEANING OF CARGO HOLDS – GENERAL GUIDANCE - 30TH NOVEMBER 2016
 
Please ensure that the surface plating, recessed man-hole covers, etc., are free of all LOOSE /
HARD RUST SCALE and all other debris / contaminants(including oils/grease spots and other
transferrable staining).
It is imperative, with NEW vessels that the Tank Tops are NOT PAINTED after all the Mechanical
Score Marks and Loose / Blistering / Hard Rust Scale have be “Faired Smooth” with scrappers
and electric angle grinders, particularly along the welded seams and edges along the Forward /
Aft Bulkhead & Side Flush Plating.

j. Bilge Wells & Covers

To be clean, dry and odour free, with bilge well covers wrapped in hessian / similar material
and set aside until after the inspection.

B] From an Australian Port Authority (whether related to Alumina or any other cargo, the
requirements are generally the same.
 CLEANING
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 CLEANING
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 CLEANING
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Otther pointss to note: Pls also re

efer to the Bulk Carriier Practice
es

12
2) Non retu
urn valves:: Our Safety Managem
ment syste m requiress that all Ca
argo Hold bilges non
return va
alves be ovverhauled at
a least on
nce a year. Being pru
udent, it wo
ould be ad
dvisable to
overhaul same as and
a when time permitts. Pls referr to Chapte
er 7 of the FP.

13
3) Hatch Co
over Weatther tightn
ness - Hose test or U prudent to conduct a
Ultrasonic ttest: It is p
hose tesst or the ultrasonic
u test
t eck the haatch cover weather ttightness, to protect
to che
against cargo
c dama
ages.
Under deck beam
residues and foreign
material must be
removed.

Under deck beam

previous cargo residues
must be removed.

Residues on access
ladder must be
removed.

1|Pa ge
Broken ladder rails are
collection points for
previous cargo. These
may become infested
with insects if the cargo
was a grain product.
Smell the area to
ensure there is no odor.

Previous cargo residues

under ladder platform
angles. Check under
ladder structure for
cargo / rust / loose
paint.

Split ladder stiles are

catch points for
previous cargo and
possible infestation.

2|Pa ge
Bulkhead blisters that
sound hollow should be
chipped back. These are
easy to identify by
tapping with a paint
scraper or chipping
hammer.

And end up coming

back rusted plating

Hopper side paint and

scale must be removed
where edges are lifting
and can be removed
with a paint scraper.

3|Pa ge
Example of poor paint
coating where flaking
paint must be removed.

Side frames showing

the difference between
stained and cleaned
plating. This type of
staining requires cherry
pickers and high
pressure washing which
can only be done safely
alongside.

Coal stain on bulkhead

that can be easily
cleaned with a wet rag.
Upper reaches of the
holds are difficult to
reach.

4|Pa ge
Tanktop sheet rust
must be removed. In
some cases a hammer
or chipping machine
may be required to
ensure all loose rust is
removed.

Tanktop sheet rust is

best removed dry with
chipping hammers and
scrapers.

Side frames with stain

mark from previous
cargo.

5|Pa ge
Always check behind
frames for loose scale
and also previous
residues which may be
lodged behind the rust
scale.

Some sheet rust behind

frames may also extend
to the angle section of
the frame

Sheet rust behind side

frames may extend to
upper reaches of
frames. Check frames
as high as possible
particularly at the turn
of the frames and in
areas behind bent or
damaged sections.

6|Pa ge
Cargo residue can get
caught up in shedder
plate holes.

Pipe brackets are also

catch points for lumps
of residue.

Behind pipework at the

base is also a catch
point for residues and
rust scale.

7|Pa ge
Ensure bilges are clean,
dry and functional prior
to coming alongside.

Manholes should be
checked for rust and
debris in the grooves.

Cover plates over

manholes should be
removed and cleaned.
All manholes covering
ballast tanks must not
have any evidence of
water leaking through.

8|Pa ge
Previous grain cargo
must be removed
otherwise there is a risk
of infestation and
growth. This generally is
found under deck
beams which are hard
to reach.

Bugs found in previous

residues will generally
require fumigation.

Another example of
mouldy old grain.
Ensure cleaning is
thorough after each
consumable cargo so
that this type of residue
is not onboard when
presenting for a grain
survey.

9|Pa ge
Man at the bottom
places both feet at the
base of the ladder.

This is safe practice to

preventing the ladder
sliding on the hopper
side.

The ladder can be

moved and braced at
the bottom as the man
on the hopper side
cleans and checks
behind frames

The man at the top

should have a paint
scraper to remove
sheet rust from behind
the frames

10 | P a g e
Paint scraper can get
under loose paint / rust.
In this case there is grit
from blasting painted
over.

Rusted out structures

like spiral ladder posts
must be cleaned out
carefully and repaired.

Old straw type brooms

should not be used in
cleaning as they pose a
quarantine issue and
also leave behind
pieces of straw as they
break down. Synthetic
brooms or brushes
should be used.

11 | P a g e
This example shows
grain sprouting from a
mooring line on deck.
All this must be
removed from the
quarantine perspective.

12 | P a g e
EG: AFRICAN RAPTOR: NO.1 CARGO HOLD: AFTER WASHING 

   
FORWARD COAMING (overview) FWD BULKHEAD (overview) 

 
UNDERSIDE OF CROSS DECK – FWD & AFT (close up)

TANK TOP (overview) PORT SIDE BULKHEAD (overview)

STBD SIDE BULKHEAD (overview) AFT BULKHEAD (overview)

PORT OR STBD HATCH COAMING (overview) CARGO HOLD BILGE (close up)

MANHOLE (close up)

Note: Eg: the photographs of the bulkheads (above), show prominent stain of previous cargo. We could then suggest /
discuss with the master if any additional cleaning required.