Safety, practical and legal aspects of handling

By their nature all crude oils and petroleum products are mixtures of a wide range
of hydrocarbon compounds with the tendency to produce gas, which tendency also
called volatility. One of characteristics of the volatility of crude oils and petroleum
products is their ability to continuously vaporise, or, in other words, they liberate
gas into the atmosphere continuously while being stored in tank space.
Clear realization of liquids ability to continuously vaporise is of vital importance in
understanding of the principles of handling of H2S cargoes. Vapour pressure or,
simplified, rate of vaporisation of gases liberated from the crudes and petroleum
products depends on its temperature, constituents and the ratio of gas to liquid by
volume in tank.
Gas Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) is a product of vaporisation of the constituents
mentioned above. It is a very toxic, corrosive and flammable gas. It has a very low
odour threshold and a distinctive odour of rotten eggs. H2S is colourless, is
heavier than air, has a relative vapour density of 1.189, and is soluble in water.
Danger of H2S gas is well known and recognized within shipping industry.
Exposure to 700ppm in air rapidly induces unconsciousness (few minutes) and
death, when more than 700ppm
immediately fatal.

Presence of H2S is a common occurrence in crude oil, naphthas and fuel

oil cargoes, it is imperative therefore that handling of such cargoes require
particular attention and special safety measures during loading, carriage and
discharging. Due to negative environmental effect of H2S gas vapours its presence
in cargo tanks atmosphere is limited to certain levels in many countries and that
also places additional legal constraints for all parties involved, i.e. cargo sellers
and buyers, charterers and shipowners.
ISGOTT, at sections 2.3.6.1 - 2.3.6.7 describes exposure limits, typical effects of
exposure to H2S and enumerates safety procedures for handling cargoes
and bunkers with H2S. Notable that sec. 11.1.9. Loading Cargoes Containing
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) provides practical guidance on operational measures to
minimise "the risks associated with loading cargoes containing H2S"(emphasis
mine), while no specific guidance considered necessary for discharging operation.
Naturally, during loading operation H2S vapours displaced by liquid cargo entering
the tank space through cargo piping system and escape into the atmosphere via
ships venting system if no vapour return line connected to ships manifolds.
Therefore safe conduct of this operation often requires enhanced risk assessment
and such additional precautions as use of personal H2S gas monitoring
equipment, EEBD and SCABA (see ISGOTT sec 2.3.6.4) to protect personnel
working on deck of tanker from poisoning.
Safety guidline given in section 11.1.9 of ISGOTT enumerates the following
procedures:

i. Closed loading procedures described in ISGOTT Section 11.1.6.6 (For effective closed
loading, cargo should be loaded with the ullage, sounding and sighting ports securely
closed. The gas displaced by the incoming cargo should be vented to the atmosphere
via the mast riser(s) or through high velocity or constant velocity valves, either of
which will ensure that the gases are taken clear of the cargo deck
In order to undertake closed loading, the vessel should be equipped with ullaging
equipment that allows the tank contents to be monitored without opening tank
apertures.) should be used.
ii. Venting to the atmosphere at a relatively low tank pressure should be avoided,
particularly in calm wind conditions.
iii. Cargo loading should be stopped if there is no wind to disperse the vapours or if the
wind direction takes cargo vapours towards the accommodation.
iv. Only personnel actively engaged in ship security and cargo handling should be
permitted on open decks. Regular maintenance on deck should be limited or postponed
until after the end of cargo operations. Visitors should be escorted to and from the
accommodation spaces and briefed on the hazards of the cargo and emergency
procedures.
As a part of risk assessment it should be taken into account that if there is no
wind to disperse the vapours or if the wind direction takes cargo vapours towards
the accommodation the loading operation must be suspended until conditions
change .
Risk of H2S poisoning is much less during discharging because no
vapour emission goes out from ships tanks, i.e. while volumes of cargo diminish in
the course of discharging, simultaneously inert gas produced by ships IG
plant replaces empty volumes and keeps constant positive pressure in tanks and
lines.
In view of high levels of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) detected in COT ullage spaces, please monitor ullage
space atmosphere by suitable means to determine level of H2S and take the necessary precaution as
such:-

- Tanker is to conduct risk assessment against potential exposure of H2S to personnel and
implement required control measures to reduce the risk to ALARP;
- The guidance given in ISGOTT 5th Edition, section 2.3.6 and in particular section 2.3.6.7 should
be complied; and,
- IG system must be in fully operation and under no circumstances, venting of cargo vapor be
permitted from tanker.