The Vessel Requirements In Bioethanol Trade

Ethanol is listed under the product name "Ethyl alcohol" in the IBC Code Chapter 18 which means that it does not have to be carried by sea in chemical tankers. Nonetheless, ethanol traders and buyers require the carriage of ethanol cargoes in IMO Ship Type 3 chemical tankers or product tankers certified to carry Noxious Liquid Substances in bulk.
The vessel`s cargo tanks must be made of stainless steel or mild steel lined with solvent-free, amine-cured phenolic epoxy coating that is resistant to corrosion.
Given that the ethanol cargoes are hygroscopic, they must be carried under a dry Nitrogen blanket in order to prevent the absorption of moisture from the tank ullage spaces and an increase in the water content. The nominated vessel must have on board a fully functional Nitrogen generator system and portable gas bottles to supply a Nitrogen blanket sufficient to cover the surface area of cargo in each tank to be loaded and maintain the dry Nitrogen blanket at the required level throughout the voyage from the port of loading to the port of discharge.
The vessel must have on board the following documents:
- a valid International Pollution Prevention Certificate for the Carriage of Noxious Liquid Substances in Bulk;
- a valid International Certificate of Fitness for the Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk listing "Ethyl alcohol" as a permitted cargo;
- the Procedures and Arrangements Manual approved by the ship`s Flag State Administration;
- the Cargo Record Book;
- the Shipboard Marine Pollution Emergency Plan for Noxious Liquid Substances approved by the ship`s Flag State Administration;
- a valid International Ship Security Certificate;
- a valid Safety Management Certificate and a Document of Compliance with the ISM Code;
- a valid Maritime Labour Certificate.
If the vessel sails under a Flag of Convenience, the vessel must have on board a valid ITF Blue Card to evidence the fact that the minimum terms and conditions of employment of the crew of the vessel are approved by the ITF (International Transport Workers` Federation).
The shippers and port authorities require that the nominated vessels have an up-to-date Vessel Particulars Questionnaire in the SIRE and/or CDI databases and a copy of the SIRE or CDI inspection report uploaded in the SIRE/CDI systems.

by Vlad Cioarec, International Trade Consultant

This article has been published in Commoditylaw`s Biofuels Trade Review Edition No. 4.