Documentary Credit System is a payment system used in international trade where the BUYER and SELLER are from different countries. It is developed to include a measure of security to trade transactions by involving a third party, the BANK.The bank provides additional security for both parties i.e. it plays the role of an intermediary by assuring the seller that he will be paid if he provides the bank with the required documents and by assuring the buyer that his money will not be paid unless the shipping documents evidencing proper shipment of his goods are presented. How Documentary … [Read more...]
Note of Protest vs Letter of Protest – Why, When and Differences between NOP & LOP
Note of Protest Note of Protest or a NOP is a solemn declaration made on oath by a Ship Master that circumstances beyond his control have or may have given rise to loss and/or damage to his ship or its cargo or have caused him to take action which may render owners liable to legal action by another party. When to Note Protest?Whenever during the voyage, the ship has encountered conditions of wind and sea which may result in damage to cargo. When from any course, the ship is damaged or there is a reason to fear that damage may be sustained. When through the stress of weather, it … [Read more...]
Hatch Covers – Function, Inspection, Tests, Precautions, Operation, Maintenance
Introduction It is generally accepted that leaking hatch covers are a principal cause of dry cargo wetting. Hatches leak for a variety of reasons, but mainly because of poor maintenance or failure to close them properly. Leaking or badly maintained hatch covers can lead to more serious consequences than wet cargo- flooding accelerated corrosion or even loss of the ship.A watertight hatch cover is a cover designed to prevent the passage of water in either direction under a head of water for which the surrounding structure is designed. A weathertight cover is a cover designed to prevent the … [Read more...]
Gas Tanker – Types, Tanks, Reliquefaction & Cargo handling opertions
Different Types of Gas Tanker Ships Gas carriers can be grouped into five different categories according to the cargo carried and the carriage condition. These are as follows:Fully pressurised ships Semi-pressurised ships Ethylene ships Fully refrigerated LPG ships LNG shipsThe first three ship types listed are most suitable for the shipment of smaller-size cargoes of LPG and chemical gases. This is normally accomplished on short-sea and regional routes. Fully refrigerated ships are used extensively for the carriage of large size cargoes of LPG and ammonia on the deep sea … [Read more...]
Gas Tanker Basics – Definitions and Hazards
Transportation of Liquefied Gases by Sea General For economical marine transportation, gas is carried in a liquefied state. As a liquid, the volume to weight ratio at atmospheric pressure is in the range of 650 times less than in the gaseous state. That means we can carry 650 times more cargo in the liquid state as compared to a carriage in the gaseous state.The temperature at which a gas condenses is a function of its pressure. The combination of pressurising and cooling is, therefore, fundamental to gas carrier design. Some ships carry gases liquefied under pressure & others under … [Read more...]
Maritime – What is a Bill of Lading (B/L)?
Bill of Lading A Bill of Lading is a receipt for goods either received (before shipment) or shipped on board.Is a good evidence of the existence of a contract between the shipper and carrier. It is not a true contract since only one party signs it. Is a document of title, signifying that the holder has the legal right to possession of the goods it describes. Right to possession is different from the right to ownership, which is determined by the terms of the sale contract. May, depending on how Bill of Lading is made out, be negotiable i.e. transferable to a third party so as to … [Read more...]
Heavy Lift Cargo – Precautions and Stability Changes Onboard Merchant Ships
Precautions for Heavy Lift OnboardCarry out a “Risk Assessment” prior to commencing the operation to ensure that all possible areas of hazard are taken account of and that all risks are at an acceptable, tolerable risk level. Ensure that the stability of the vessel is adequate to compensate for the anticipated angle of heel that be experienced when the load at the maximum angle of outreach. All free surface elements should be reduced or eliminated, if possible, to ensure a positive value of GM throughout the operation. Any additional rigging, such as “preventer backstays” should … [Read more...]
Pyrophoric Iron Fires
At one time or another, most refineries experience spontaneous ignition of iron sulphide either on the ground or inside equipment. When this occurs inside equipment like columns, vessels, and tanks and exchangers containing residual hydrocarbons and air, the results can be devastating. Most commonly, pyrophoric iron fires occur during shutdowns when equipment and piping are opened for inspection or maintenance. Instances of fires in crude columns during turnarounds, explosions in sulphur, crude or asphalt storage tanks, overpressures in vessels, etc., due to pyrophoric iron ignition are not … [Read more...]
Lifting Operations Onboard Ship
Lifting Operations - Do's and Dont's 1 Every lifting operation must be -(a) properly planned;(b) appropriately supervised, and(c) carried out in a safe manner.2 No lifting operation should be begun using equipment which is mobile or can be dismantled unless the employer is satisfied that the lifting equipment will remain stable during use under all foreseeable conditions taking into account the nature of the surface on which it stands.3 All lifting operations must be properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out to protect the safety of workers. Whilst this … [Read more...]
Refrigeration Principle, Cargo and Systems
PRINCIPLE OF REFRIGERATIONJust as the natural flow of water is from a high level to a low level, the natural flow of heat too is from a body at high temperature to a body at a low temperature, and just as we would need a pump to reverse the flow or pump water upwards, we need mechanical work to be done or a heat pump to transfer heat from a body at a low temperature and give it to a body at a high temperature. In a refrigeration system, gas at a high PR. P¹, low vol. V¹ & high temp T¹ (35°C to 40°C) is obtained from the compressor. It is allowed to expand slightly & cool in … [Read more...]