HM 40. Guidelines for the crude oil washing of ships' tanks and the heating of crude oil being transported by sea

Overview:

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The latest version of Annex B can be downloaded.

This publication provides guidelines for the carriage, heating and crude oil washing (COW) of many crude oils that may be transported by sea.

As well as enhancing the current regulations regarding reducing marine pollution, the publication provides guidance on the grades of crude oil that may give rise to an increase in volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions if used excessively for COW. The publication also highlights a number of crude oils that are known to be potentially harmful due to concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and/or benzene.

Changes in this fourth edition include:

• revised and updated crude oil data and guidance in Annex B;
• revisions to the document layout to improve clarity, and
• the removal of detailed references and separate wash codes for non-segregated ballast tankers (COW tankers), recognising that this type of ship has now been almost completely replaced by segregated ballast tankers (SBTs).