Thematic module · sixth module developed

# Cargo Operations Live

Loading/discharging plan, Cargo Record Book, tank cleaning, Cargo Securing Manual, enclosed space entry, draft survey, IMDG Code, Ro-Ro Cargo Securing, Reefer Container Monitoring, Cargo Claim, Heavy Lift Cargo, Break Bulk Cargo, Charter Party and cargo-specific clauses, BLU Code, Mandatory Reporting of Containers Lost at Sea.

Each topic below brings together, in a single place: an operational explanation, the regulatory reference, scope of application, procedure, practical example, real cases, common mistakes, PSC observations, operational tips, a checklist and FAQ — regulations verified as of July 2026.

### Loading/Discharging Plan

The document that turns a commercial operation into a safe one: stability, structural stresses and an operational sequence agreed before work begins.

### Cargo Record Book (Record Book for Noxious Liquid Substances)

The mandatory record book for tankers carrying noxious liquid substances in bulk: how to complete it, and why the Category X prewash is the point most closely scrutinised during inspection.

### Tank Cleaning

From Crude Oil Washing on tankers to chemical washing on chemical tankers: different procedures for different risks, but one common principle — accurate recording of every stage.

### Cargo Securing Manual and Cargo Lashing

The manual that will become the focus of PSC inspections in the second half of 2026: how to keep it consistent with the ship's actual configuration and its lashing equipment in good condition.

### Enclosed Space Entry

The seemingly simplest operation that continues to cause fatalities on board: why the bi-monthly drill mandatory since 2015 exists, and how to make it genuinely useful.

### Draft Survey and Determining Cargo Quantity

The method that determines, from the draught readings, how much cargo is actually on board: the basis of every commercial dispute over shortages or excess quantities.

### IMDG Code — Carriage of Dangerous Goods in Packaged Form

The new 2024 edition (Amendment 42-24), mandatory from 1 January 2026: what changes for the classification, packaging and stowage of dangerous goods in packaged form.

### Ro-Ro Cargo Securing

Securing vehicles on a Ro-Ro ship follows its own rules, distinct from general cargo securing: the CSS Code devotes a specific appendix to road vehicles.

### Reefer Container Monitoring

Temperature-controlled cargo is unforgiving: a gap in temperature recording can mean the total loss of the commercial value of the contents.

### Managing Cargo Claims

The difference between a claim that is rejected and one that costs the Company dearly is often decided in the first few days after discharge: the quality of the documentation gathered on board.

### Heavy Lift Cargo and Project Cargo

Project cargo and heavy lift cargo do not fall within the CSS Code's standard tables: Annex 13 provides the calculation methodology for bespoke securing arrangements, and recent amendment proposals aim to clarify the most ambiguous criteria.

### Break Bulk Cargo: Stowage, Dunnage and Damage Prevention

Over-stowage is among the most common causes of damage to break bulk cargo: the lower layer of cargo cannot bear the weight accumulated above it, a mistake that piece-by-piece planning easily prevents.

### Charter Parties and Cargo-Specific Clauses

2025 brings the first substantial update to ASBATANKVOY since 1977, with digital clauses and ESG compliance: charter parties are not static documents, and every new edition can change the ship's operational obligations.

### BLU Code: Safety in the Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers

The ship/shore information exchange form required by the BLU Code is not a formality: many structural failures on bulk carriers arise precisely from a loading sequence agreed on paper but not followed in practice.

### Mandatory Reporting of Containers Lost at Sea (SOLAS 2026)

It is no longer enough to report a container loss to one's own Company: from 2026 the Master must inform nearby ships, the nearest coastal State and the flag State, which in turn reports the incident to the IMO.

Coming in future updates to this module: publication of the consolidated text of IMDG Code Amendment 43-26 following its adoption at MSC 111 (May 2026), coordination between GISIS reporting and P&I insurance in the event of container loss, handling of mixed cargo on multipurpose vessels.

### Leave feedback

Help us improve the platform during the beta -- it takes thirty seconds.

How useful do you find the platform so far?
Comment (optional)
Sign me up for the newsletter
Role