The impact of the international safety guide for oil tankers and terminals (isgott)

Still transitioning from the ISGOTT 5 to the 6th edition of the International Safety Guide for Tankers and Terminals?

THE OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum) has highly recommended using ISGOTT version 6 as soon as possible because of the major changes in Marine Terminal Administration, Human Factors, Alternative and Emerging Technologies, and Cargo Inspectors. Amendments and updates due to changes in legislation and standards e.g. revised standards for construction, maintenance, and retirement of cargo transfer hoses plus upgrades and enhancements to existing best practice guidance including the management of hazards and risks for tanker and terminal operations, enclosed space entry, firefighting, security, and the ship/shore marine terminal interface which includes updates to the ship/shore safety checklist and the bunker operations safety checklist. 

Smartflow together with NxtPort International are helping organizations implement ISGOTT v6 digitally with little effort.

After a successful implementation of the ISGOTT 6 at our customer Vopak at various terminals such as Europoort (Rotterdam), Sebarok (Singapore), Deer Park (Houston), our solution has the maturity to carry out further use cases.

Due to many fast developments tankers and terminal companies have gone through, ICS (International Chamber of Shipping), IAPH (International Association of Ports and Harbors), and OCIMF have pushed to more updates which also concern matters such as ranging from gas detection to alternative and emerging technologies.

The new ISGOTT version 6 guide is more focused on the human factors. It clearly states that in order to maintain and improve safety management, tankers and terminals need a better understanding of the risks posed by human factors.

See how Vopak has digitized their ISGOTT 6 with Smartflow. Read Use Case

HOW DO THE NEW ISGOTT 6 CHANGES AFFECT THE SHIP/SHORE SAFETY CHECKLIST?

Good communication is key in transferring liquid products safely between the terminal and the tanker. Smartflow helps to digitize from pre-arrival to departure checklists, ensuring safe compliance between procedures at all stages.

hip/Shore Safety Checklist is that communication should start before the vessel’s arrival/interface at the terminals. By having this checklist in a digital format the loading masters, supervisors, the chief, and the captain can identify and address issues even before there’s an actual problem.

To support the communication from the time the vessel arrives at the berth to completion of cargo operations and the vessel’s departure, Smartflow has created digital checklists for each stage automatically showing the relevant parts based on the product to be transferred.

With Smartflow you can configure standard inputs/remarks for certain questions that are likely to have a standard answer depending on the terminal or product. Such pre-filled content helps vessel and terminal personnel to avoid redundant answers and save time when completing the checklists.

ISGOTT 6 HAS POINTED OUT CLEARLY THE DIFFERENCE IN RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN THE VESSEL AND THE TERMINAL.
Smartflow facilitates the agreements by providing a workflow where both parties need to sign off individual checklists with initials as confirmation to ensure authenticity and accountability. Once these have been completed, the tanker and terminal representatives agree on the following repetitive checks, which also need to be added to the declaration.

Both the tanker and terminal will receive a digital copy of the pre-arrival checks and the SSSCL to be displayed at all the relevant control stations. Once both parties sign this declaration, the status changes to Repetitive checks.

There are situations in which ships arrive at the berth and do not agree to follow the new ship/shore checklist format. The exchange of information before the tanker’s arrival at the terminal should include the provision of the Terminal Information Booklet (TIB). This contains important information that helps to ensure a safe and efficient turnaround at the facility.

Both the tanker and the terminal should be aware that these systems have been put in place to ensure and streamline the safety of the ship/shore interface.

Given that, it’s important to agree before berthing.

Smartflow ISGOTT solution inherently supports roles and permissions so the terminal personnel (planner, loading master, boardmen, supervisors), as well as the vessel captain, can view and edit only the data that are relevant to them in accordance with ISGOTT v6.

The Smartflow solution allows operators, connected workers, and frontline operations to access and transfer information to anyone within the organization. Smartflow experts and/or Smartflow partners work on improving day-to-day operations, allowing for remote support, and leveraging workers’ flexibility.

Smartflow enables companies to create a work ecosystem where planners, loading masters, the vessel captain, and the agencies involved can work collaboratively.

HOW CAN PLANNERS USE A CONNECTED WORKER SOLUTION FOR THEIR ISGOTT 6 OPERATIONS?
The planners can use the Smartflow connected worker solution to request the vessel captain to provide all the pre-arrival documentation. Within the app, the planners can share the terminal booklet and the ISGOTT 6 data once the port call is completed. They can also add any other additional documents needed to complete the process, such as the user manual for Digital ISGOTT forms. . The Smartflow app allows them to prepare in advance pre-filled questionnaires they want the vessel captain or the loading masters to agree. In addition to standard ISGOTT pre-arrival questionnaires, there may be product-specific questionnaires as well, like one for inert gas operations.

HOW CAN LOADING MASTERS USE A CONNECTED WORKER SOLUTION FOR THEIR ISGOTT 6 OPERATIONS?
Loading masters can use the Smartflow connected worker solution to carry on with the pre-arrival information and check parts 3-7 jointly once the vessel has arrived. The pre-arrival part can be done at the desk and Part 3-7 can be done on a tablet, hence even if there is no immediate network connectivity available. Data can then be synced online when the loading master is back in the area with the network coverage. If needed, loading masters can easily add any other ship/shore documents, e.g. operational arrangement, declaration of security, and others. Smartflow is a cloud-based solution that allows data access to anyone authorized anytime and anywhere facilitating an efficient shift handover.

HOW CAN VESSEL CAPTAINS USE A CONNECTED WORKER SOLUTION FOR THEIR ISGOTT 6 OPERATIONS?
The vessel captain is provided with a secured link where they can undergo all the ISGOTT matters plus any other ship/shore documentation. Prior to arrival, they reclaim the digital terminal booklet plus any other important data they need. In the Smartflow app, vessel captains will always be able to access any documents and forms the terminal provides. Smartflow also sends emails to vessel captains with the completed checklists in print-ready format so they always have a copy for reference during and post operations. The vessel captains get an in-app notification every time they have to submit a repetitive check. That notification can also be sent via email.

HOW CAN THE AGENCY IN CHARGE USE A CONNECTED WORKER SOLUTION FOR THEIR ISGOTT 6 OPERATIONS?
Smartflow allows sharing the needed documentation with the agency within the app so all required data is in one place.

HOW WILL SMARTFLOW AND NXTPORT INTERNATIONAL WORK ON DELIVERING THE DIGITAL ISGOTT 6 TO PORTS?
NxtPort International will be supporting Smartflow to globalize their digital ISGOTT 6 services. NxtPort International has offices in the USA and Singapore with the goal to globalize the proven NxtPort data-sharing platform currently active in the port of Antwerp. Terminals and shipping lines that have subscribed to the NxtPort platform will be able to efficiently make use of a.o. Smartflow’s digital solutions. On top of this, NxtPort will work together with Smartflow and its customers to use relevant data on the platform to prepopulate the digital ISGOTT v6 thereby increasing efficiency.

DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO A SMARTFLOW CONSULTANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONNECTED WORKER SOLUTION?
Send an email at jelle.swanenberg@smartflowapps.com

Do you need more information about the implementation of the ISGOTT 6 together with NxtPort?
Send an email to: alexander.dorhout.mees@nxtport-international.com