Cargo Hold Cleanliness Inspection

A hold prepared for one commodity may not meet the requirements of the next. Previous residues, moisture and loose materials may compromise the condition of the compartment and contribute to cargo contamination. TWS hold cleanliness inspection helps identify these conditions before loading and guides communication among the client, the vessel and the other parties responsible for the operation.

The assessment begins by defining the intended cargo and the stated acceptance criteria. Recent cargo history, voyage instructions and contractual or terminal-specific requirements help establish what needs to be observed. Terms such as grain clean and hospital clean do not eliminate the need for this alignment: the requested standard and the criteria of those who will carry out acceptance must be clear from the outset.

In accessible and safe locations, the inspection may cover tank tops, bulkheads, internal structures, underdeck surfaces, ladders, pipe guards and bilge well areas. Apparent conditions such as cargo residues, loose rust, peeling paint, transferable stains, moisture, odours and signs of infestation are recorded. Hidden areas, height, lighting and access restrictions may limit observation and must be stated in the report.

Where outstanding issues are identified, the records make it possible to indicate their location and facilitate supplementary preparation. A reinspection may be arranged after corrections have been made. For solid bulk cargoes covered by the IMSBC Code, the requirements applicable to the commodity must be considered; the carriage of grain in bulk is subject to a specific regime and should not be treated as an indiscriminate application of the IMSBC.

The deliverable documents the condition observed at the time of the visit and its relationship to the agreed scope. It does not constitute phytosanitary authorization, general certification of vessel fitness or a guarantee of acceptance by a shipper, terminal or authority. Share the intended cargo, the required criteria and the schedule to align the inspection in advance.