Liquefied Gas Carrier

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Gas carrier required cargo information and handling documents

The transportation of liquefied gases is subject to the same commercial documentation as applies to oil cargoes. The master should request the correct technical name of the cargo as soon as possible and before loading. The master must only load a cargo which is listed on his certificate of fitness. Data sheets for these cargoes should be on board.



Documents accompanying a liquid gas cargo will generally include the following.


Bill of Lading: This is the most important document. It is a receipt for the cargo on board and is normally signed by the Master on behalf of the ship-owner or time charterer. It will state the quantity of cargo shipped, that it was received onboard in apparently good order and condition and will indicate the terms and conditions under which the ship will carry the cargo to its destination. In some ports which operate early departure procedures the Agents will sign the Bills and the Master will be required to furnish the agents with a letter authorising them to do this.

The Bill of Lading is usually issued in three “originals” of equal standing, each separately stamped and signed. One of these goes to the shipper, one to the carrier (ship-owner or time charterer) and one to the intended receiver of the cargo. A copy will be retained onboard and normally the Master will only deliver the cargo on presentation of the receivers “original”


Certificate of Quantity: This is issued by the loading terminal and is the cargo quantities declared as loaded usually established by an independent surveyor.


Certificate of Quality: This provides the product specification and quality in terms of physical characteristics and component constituents. It is again issued by the loading terminal.


Certificate of Origin: This is a document issued by the manufacturer or shipper, countersigned by the customs authorities and attesting to the country in which the cargo was produced.


Time Sheet: This records all timing details of the ship’s movements and operations from the ships entry to its final departure from the port. This is usually prepared by the vessel’s agents and is countersigned by the Master. Its purpose is to provide an agreed statement of facts relating to timing of events and any delays.


Cargo Manifest: This document is again usually prepared by the vessel’s agents at the loading port and lists the cargo according to the Bill of Lading(s) and the disposition of the cargo within the ship. Its purpose is to provide readily available data for Customs authorities etc., at the discharge port.


Certificate of Tank Fitness: This is issued by independent chemists or surveyors where particular tank conditions are required prior to loading.


Certificate of Inhibitor Addition: Certain gases require an inhibitor added for transportation and the certificate will show the quantity added and the length of time the inhibitor will last for.


The IMO Codes require the following information to be available to every ship and for each cargo:

(1) A full description of the physical and chemical properties necessary for the safe containment of the cargo

(2) Action to be taken in the event of spills or leaks

(3) Counter-measures against accidental personal contact

(4) Fire-fighting procedures and fire-extinguishing agents

(5) Procedures for cargo transfer, gas freeing, ballasting, tank cleaning and changing cargoes

(6) Special equipment needed for the safe handling of the particular cargo

(7) Minimum inner hull steel temperatures

(8) Emergency procedures

(9) Compatibility

(10) Details of the maximum filling limits allowed for each cargo that may be carried at each loading temperature, the maximum reference temperature and the set pressure for each relief valve.

The master and all those concerned should use the data sheet and any other relevant information to acquaint themselves with the characteristics of each cargo to be loaded. If the cargo to be loaded is a mixture (e.g. LPG), information on the composition of the mixture should be sought; the temperature and pressure readings in the shore tank can be used to verify this information.

Special notes should be made of any contaminants that may be present in the cargo, e.g. water.




Related Information:

  1. What is Cargo conditioning, reliquefaction and boil-off control ?


  2. Ships preparations prior to a loading or receiving terminal


  3. Cargo handling guideline for liquefied gas cargo


  4. The ESD system minimises potential risks during the transfer of liquefied gases


  5. Liquefied gas carrier safety training


  6. LNG spill risk during marine transportation


  7. Initial Cool Down of cargo tanks


  8. General precautions and instructions for gas carrier


  9. Cargo machinery room safety precautions


  10. Toxicity and associated health hazards in liquefied gas carrier


  11. Liquefied gas cargo handling equipment





Other info pages

Cargo conditioning, reliquefaction and boil-off control requirement for a liquefied gas carrier

Cargo Containment Systems in Liquefied Gas Carriers

cargo emergency shutdown requirement

damage stability guideline for liquefied gas carriers

Various Cargo handling equipments onboard

Cargo hoses connection guideline

Documents accompanying a liquid gas cargo

How LNG transferred from shore to ships cargo tanks ?

Cargo operation guideline onboard a liquefied gas carrier

Cargo piping Systems in Liquefied Gas Carriers

cargo planning requirement

cargo and pumproom safety precautions

cargo stripping guideline

Emergency response for cargo system leaks

Emergency response for cargo tank rupture

Risk of overfilling of cargo tank during loading onboard a liquefied gas carrier

Preparation for cargo transfer

cargo transfer between vessels- safety guideline





Gas carrier cargo hndling additional guidelines

  1. Procedures for various cargo handling equipment onboard


  2. Personal protective equipments for people working onboard gas carriers


  3. Volatile nature of liquefied gases

  4. How to achieve maximum drainage of liquid during discharge


  5. The hazards of liquefied gases - Cargo information and safety factors


More Info pages

Procedure for cargo planning in Liquefied Gas Carriers

Details of various cargo handling equipment onboard

Cargo piping layout for LNG carriers

Procedure for commissioning the cargo system

Preparation for Cargo Transfer

Procedure for discussion prior cargo transfer

Procedure for loading Liquefied Gas Cargoes

Procedure for Cargo Conditioning in Liquefied Gas Carriers

Cargo Transfer between Vessels (STS Operation)

Procedure for segregation of Liquefied Gas Cargoes

Procedure for Stripping Liquefied Gas Cargoes

Procedure for Changing Liquefied Gas Cargoes

Displacing with Vapour of the Next Cargo (Purging)

Procedure for Water washing after Ammonia Cargoes





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