STS Cargo Operation

• The specialized, high-risk operation of transferring cargo (typically liquid bulk commodities like oil) between two vessels while they are moored alongside each other, often at sea.
• STS Location Selection and Permitting: Selecting safe, authorized offshore locations and securing all necessary governmental and port authority permits for the operation.
• Detailed Risk Assessment (RA): Conducting comprehensive risk assessments covering weather, traffic, equipment failure, and environmental spill scenarios.
• STS Equipment Provision: Supplying, inspecting, and deploying high-quality, certified fenders, hoses, manifold connections, and mooring equipment.
• Appointment of Person in Overall Advisory Control (POAC): Mandating the use of a highly experienced and certified POAC to supervise and authorize all stages of the transfer.
• Vessel Compatibility Study: Performing checks on vessels' manifold heights, mooring equipment, and compatibility to ensure safe mooring alongside.
• Emergency Shutdown (ESD) Procedures: Establishing and testing clear emergency shutdown protocols for both vessels to prevent overfilling or spillage.
• Weather Contingency Planning: Setting strict weather limits (wind/wave height) and defining clear decision points for abortion or suspension of the operation.
• Security and Anti-Piracy Measures: Implementing heightened security measures, especially in high-risk areas, to protect both vessels and cargo.
• Oil Spill Response Capability: Ensuring immediate access to certified oil spill response equipment and having a detailed, practiced environmental response plan.
• Cargo Quantity and Quality Control: Overseeing independent surveyors to manage custody transfer, ensuring accurate gauging and sampling of the cargo.
• Mooring and Fendering Management: Supervising the critical mooring operation to ensure safe distance and stability between the two vessels throughout the transfer.
• Communication Protocols: Establishing clear, mandatory communication channels and language protocols between the POAC, ship Masters, and involved parties.
• Post-STS Documentation: Meticulously completing and archiving all STS checklists, log entries, and documentation for future audit and compliance verification.