Organisational & Operational Excellence

Loading Master and Marine Terminal Operations: Ship/Shore Interface and Cargo Transfer

DestinationAmsterdam
Dates12 – 16 July 2027
Reference162_10324

Programme overview

Introduction:

Loading master errors at a marine terminal rarely stay small: a missed checklist item, an unagreed flow rate, a loose mooring or an unbonded hose can turn a routine cargo transfer into a spill, a fire or a quantity claim. This Core Concept course prepares loading masters and jetty supervisors to run the ship/shore interface on oil, gas and petrochemical berths, from pre-transfer conference through loading, ullaging, sampling and emergency release to cargo documents. Participants build a Jetty Cargo Transfer Control Pack for a berth from their own terminal.

Course Objectives:

  • Conduct a pre-transfer conference and complete the ship-shore safety checklist with the vessel's responsible officer
  • Inspect mooring arrangements, marine loading arms and cargo hoses before connection and during the transfer
  • Agree and monitor a cargo transfer plan covering sequence, flow rates, topping off and stoppages
  • Verify ullage, temperature and sample records and follow the cargo quantity calculation at overview level
  • Apply vapour control, static electricity precautions, emergency shutdown and emergency release procedures on the jetty
  • Prepare transfer documentation, notices and letters of protest that support the terminal in cargo disputes

Target Audience:

  • Staff who supervise liquid bulk cargo transfers between tankers and shore on terminal jetties
  • Terminal operators who line up shore tanks, pumps and pipelines for loading and discharging
  • Marine and jetty supervisors responsible for berthing, mooring and connection of cargo equipment
  • Terminal HSE and emergency response staff who cover spill, fire and release scenarios on berths
  • Cargo inspectors and operations coordinators who handle ullage, sampling and shipping documents

Course Outline:

Day 1: Marine Terminal Foundations and the Loading Master Role

  • Liquid Bulk Terminal Types: Crude, Refined Products, LPG, LNG and Chemicals
  • Berth and Jetty Layout: Loading Platform, Breasting and Mooring Dolphins
  • Loading Master Duties, Authority and the Three-Party Transfer Team
  • Terminal Information Book and Port Information Exchange with the Vessel
  • Current-State Jetty Operations Assessment Checklist

Day 2: Ship/Shore Interface and ISGOTT Safety Framework

  • ISGOTT Structure: Ship, Terminal and Ship/Shore Interface Responsibilities
  • Pre-Transfer Conference Agenda: Product Hazards, Rates, Communications and Stop Signals
  • Ship-Shore Safety Checklist Completion and Repetitive Checks
  • Safety Data Sheets and Cargo Hazard Communication for Petroleum and Petrochemicals
  • Hot Work, Enclosed Space and Ignition Source Controls on the Berth

Day 3: Mooring, Connection and Cargo Transfer Operations

  • Mooring Plan Review, Line Tending and Environmental Operating Limits
  • Marine Loading Arm Operating Envelope, Quick Connect Couplers and Position Monitoring
  • Cargo Hose Inspection, Pressure Rating and Connection Records
  • Cargo Transfer Plan: Line-Up, Initial Rate, Bulk Rate and Topping Off
  • Ballast, Stability and Free Surface Considerations During Loading and Discharging

Day 4: Cargo Quantity, Vapour, Static and Emergency Risk

  • Ullage, Innage, Temperature and Free Water Readings at Overview
  • Cargo Sampling Points, Sample Labelling and Retention Records
  • Vessel Experience Factor and Ship-Shore Quantity Difference at Overview
  • Vapour Return Lines, Inert Gas and Static Electricity Bonding Precautions
  • Emergency Shutdown Sequence and Emergency Release System Activation

Day 5: Jetty Walkthrough, Documentation and the Control Pack

  • Berth Inspection Walkthrough: Moorings, Arms, Hoses and Drip Trays
  • Oil Spill Prevention Checks and Tier 1 Spill Response Kit Deployment
  • Notice of Readiness, Time Sheet, Bill of Lading and Letters of Protest
  • Port State Control Inspection Findings and Pollution Reporting at Overview
  • Jetty Cargo Transfer Control Pack Build and Peer Review

Skills You Will Gain:

  • Ship/Shore Interface Management
  • Pre-Transfer Conference Leadership
  • Mooring Arrangement Inspection
  • Loading Arm and Hose Integrity Checks
  • Cargo Transfer Rate Control
  • Static Electricity Hazard Control
  • Emergency Release Response
  • Cargo Claim Documentation

Why Attend This Course:

  • Return with a Jetty Cargo Transfer Control Pack prepared for a berth at your own terminal
  • Lead the ship/shore interface with vessel officers using one agreed checklist, stop signals and rate plan
  • Spot mooring, arm, hose and bonding defects on the berth before they stop a transfer or cause a release
  • Protect the terminal in quantity and demurrage discussions with complete time sheets, records and letters of protest

Conclusion:

Safe and accurate cargo transfer depends on the loading master holding the ship/shore interface together from arrival to departure. The course moves from terminal and berth layout and the loading master role, through ISGOTT, the pre-transfer conference and the safety checklist, to mooring, loading arms, hoses and the transfer plan, then to ullage, sampling, vapour, static and emergency release risk. The final day applies a berth walkthrough and produces a Jetty Cargo Transfer Control Pack for use on the next vessel call.

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