Hold Cleaning / Hold Washing
Hold Cleaning
There is a need of cleaning the holds even if the vessel is carrying the same cargo time after time. Regardless of the previous cargo carried, all cargo holds should be thoroughly cleaned prior to loading the next cargo.
If a vessel is carrying cargoes, where residues will solidify on the surfaces, they may be next to impossible to remove if the vessel is not cleaned immediately after discharge. Many dry bulk cargoes do not allow any contamination from residues of a previous cargo. Remaining residues may damage not only the next cargo, but also cause damage to painted surfaces and increase corrosion.
Todays voyage and time charter more and more replace traditional liner trade, which increase the demand for a higher flexibility, i.e. more frequent and sometimes very thorough cleaning.
The old conventional way of cleaning a bulk carrier was to sweep the cargo holds, wash them down with fire hoses or other portable washing units, sometimes in combination with compressed air. The cleaning of the cargo holds had to take place after discharge and prior to loading the next cargo. In really bad weather the hatches had to be secured and conventional cleaning was impossible to carry out.
The cleaning of one cargo hold could take days and involve the whole crew. It was also a very uncomfortable, dirty and sometimes even dangerous work.
For the best and most economical solution standard Scanjet machines are used, with different mounting arrangements designed to fit the ship’s structure and to prevent damage to equipment during cargo operations.
Bulk carriers often make quick changes from one type of cargo to another. Many times this has to be done in a matter of hours and the time saved in just one quick change can pay for the cost of a Scanjet installation. The washing process makes use of sea water and the cargo holds are then rinsed with fresh water to minimize the effects of corrosion and prevent salt from contaminating the next cargoes.
Prior to loading grain, all ships are usually subject to a survey by an approved independent surveyor. The surveyor will require the vessels particulars and details of at least the last three cargoes carried. He will then inspect the holds for cleanliness and infestation, or the presence of any material which could lead to infestation. When the surveyor is satisfied with the condition of the hold, he will issue the ship with a certificate stating which holds are fit to load grain. Purpose: to ensure cargo holds are prepared to receive the next cargo Large claims have arisen when cargo holds have not been cleaned sufficiently to prevent cargo contamination. The requirements for cleaning the holds are dependent upon the previous cargo carried, the next cargo to be carried, charterers’ requirements, the requirements of shippers and/or the authorities at the port of loading and the receivers. It is becoming common practice for receivers to have an inspector at the load port.
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