Cargo losses are an inevitable part of all aspects of transportation. Over time, some industries have developed methods to minimize these losses and damages. However, in liquid transportation, advancements have been limited since the sector's early days.
The precise measurement of liquid volume and weight is a complex process. Although the use of tables and specialized software facilitates the task, allowing less experienced operators to achieve reasonable accuracy, significant discrepancies require more advanced methods. In such cases, an inspector with extensive experience and knowledge can investigate the situation and find the most appropriate solution.
Generally, problems during loading arise from inflated figures on the Bill of Lading and incorrect quality reports. In practice, the documentation often does not match the actual volumes and conditions of the cargo on board.
The fundamental goal during unloading is the same as in loading: to ensure that the process is accurate. The main difference is that, in this case, the departure certificate must match the ship’s arrival figures. The challenge is to ensure that all land connections are properly accounted for, that measurements are accurately performed, and that samples are taken correctly and are representative. Although this work is carried out by operators at the lower levels of the hierarchy and may seem technically simple, it must be done with precision. A mistake at this stage can result in significant losses by the end of the process. Therefore, proper supervision is essential.
The transfer of hydrocarbons from one vessel to another, known as Ship-to-Ship (STS), faces very different issues compared to operations at a maritime terminal. Here, physical losses are uncommon unless a spill occurs. The cargo may be on one ship or the other, but measurements in open waters present a challenge even for the most experienced inspectors. Obtaining accurate measurements is essential in all aspects of liquid transportation, and STS is the most complex of all. The main difficulty is the constant movement of both the ship and the cargo. To take accurate measurements, objects must be stable, but measuring something that is constantly moving is complicated. Measurements are often taken, figures are calculated, and accepted as they are. However, QLC Consultants' superintendents ensure that inaccurate figures are not accepted, thereby preventing major financial losses.
Bienvenido a QLC Consultants S.A.C., El control de la calidad y de las mermas en el Oil & Gas.
