What Are The Risk Factors on Board Oil Tanker

oil tanker is a ship specially designed for the transportation of petroleum and petroleum products, and because the goods it transports are highly flammable, explosive, toxic, etc., there are relatively many hazardous factors on board oil tanker. The following are some common hazardous factors on oil tanker:

Flammable

1. Cargo: Cargoes carried on oil tanker are flammable substances because most of them emit certain types of gases that form a combustible mixture consisting of hydrocarbons, a combustible mixture that includes 1-10% hydrocarbon gases.

2. Smoking: Although most shipping companies prohibit smoking on board ships, several tanker fires in the past have been attributed to smoking in areas where pyrotechnics are prohibited. Seafarers must always observe the rules on smoking and smoke only in designated smoking areas. Do not carry cigarettes, matches or lighters on deck.

Electrostatics

1. Static electricity in storage tanks: On board oil tanker, this phenomenon may not be so dangerous because the charge is transferred to the hull of the ship by the grounding protection device. However, if there is an electrical charge present in the tanks, when brought to a metal object it may spark and cause an explosion. Therefore, it is important to check the grounding protection device before using any metal objects, metal tools or probe meters in the tank.

2. Steam: Steam should not be injected into compartments or piping systems containing flammable mixtures because the high-speed movement of water droplets in the steam stream may become electrically charged as it passes through the nozzles and produce an electrically charged water mist.

3. Carbon Dioxide: Fire suppression systems with CO2 suppress fires by injecting carbon dioxide at high velocity. It evaporates rapidly, then cools and forms solid CO2 particles, which may be electrically charged.

Harmful Mixtures

1. Inert gases: Inert gases are considered to be the primary means of preventing fires on oil tanker. However, it can be damaging to the human body when inhaled. Poor quality inert gases with high carbon dioxide content can react with ammonia and lead to the formation of carbamates.

2. Hydrogen sulphide: Hydrogen sulphide is normally present in crude oil, naphtha, fuel oil and gas oil. Its concentration is usually reduced before it is loaded onto oil tanker using special stabilization methods. Nevertheless, even small amounts of hydrogen sulfide at low levels can be highly toxic, corrosive and flammable. It is a colorless gas with a rotten egg odor and even short-term exposure to high levels of hydrogen sulfide can be fatal.

3. Corrosive: Crude oil loaded in ULCCs or gasoline in product tankers is pretreated to remove salts from the chlorides, as well as other corrosive impurities. If present, these salts can react and release noxious liquids or gases and pose a hazard to humans.

Climatic

1. Wind: Wind speed is an important factor in the safety of oil tanker cargo. If the wind speed is very low or zero, it will not create a sustained diffuse water vapor on deck, resulting in a flammable condition. In addition, strong winds may create a low pressure on the leeward side of a deckhouse or building, which may cause water vapor to be blown towards the deckhouse. The Tanker Officer-in-Charge shall give notice to carry out cargo operations under such conditions.

2. Lightning: Cargo operations must stop immediately if there is an electrically charged storm in the vicinity of the ship.

Oxygen Deficiency

Enclosed spaces: There are always some enclosed compartments on board ships and even more enclosed spaces on oil tanker. The pump room of oil tanker is seen as a confined area and it is important that seafarers take precautions before entering it, as it is one of the most frequently entered and exited confined spaces for seafarers. Before cleaning the cargo hold or doing related inspections, seafarers must complete the precautions for entering the confined space.

Pollution

Spills: Oil spills are not only a hazard associated with oil tanker, but also have a significant impact on the marine environment in the vicinity of the ship. History has shown that almost all major pollution at sea has been caused by oil tanker accidents.

Conclude

There are many risk factors for oil tanker in the transportation of petroleum and petroleum products, including fire, explosion, leakage, pollution, injury to personnel, ship collision, bad weather and man-made damage, as well as regulations and standards. In order to ensure the safe operation of oil tanker, relevant personnel need to strengthen the safety management of oil tanker, improve the safety awareness and operational skills of crew members, strengthen the maintenance and inspection of ship equipment, and ensure that ships comply with relevant regulations and standards.