Terminal Operations

Where Vessel Meets Shore Tank

Every cargo of crude oil or refined product that moves through our network passes through a physical handover between vessel and terminal — mooring, hose connection, pumping, gauging — that has to happen safely, quickly, and with an accurate record at every step. This is terminal operations: the practical, day-to-day work of running a marine terminal, distinct from the commercial arrangement (tank storage or tank leasing) that determines why the cargo is there.

At each of our four terminals — Rotterdam, Houston, Jurong, and Fujairah — dedicated marine coordination teams manage berth scheduling, vessel mooring, and pipeline transfer between ship and shore tank, working alongside independent surveyors who verify cargo quantity and quality throughout the operation.

Because product often changes hands — sold, stored, blended, and resold — while sitting in the same physical tank, disciplined terminal operations are what keep custody, quality, and quantity records reliable enough for banks, insurers, and buyers to trust without physically inspecting every cargo themselves.

The role also extends beyond a single vessel call. Terminal teams coordinate pipeline transfer schedules with upstream refineries at Rotterdam and Houston, manage line-up between multiple shore tanks during blending operations, and maintain the marine infrastructure — pumps, hoses, fenders, mooring equipment — that keeps berths available and safe for continuous throughput across the year.

TERMINAL OPERATIONS AT A GLANCE

Marine coordination teams manage vessel arrivals, berth allocation, and jetty scheduling around the clock across all four terminals.

Terminal superintendents and mooring crews with decades of combined experience handling Aframax, Suezmax, and VLCC-class tankers.

Every discharge and loading operation follows ship/shore safety checklists aligned with OCIMF and ISGOTT industry guidance.

Pre-arrival planning and dedicated pumping capacity keep vessel turnaround times competitive with major independent terminals.

Cargo quantity and quality are confirmed by independent surveyors at every discharge or loading operation, not solely by terminal staff.

Terminal operations connect directly into our tank storage and tank leasing services, so cargo moves from vessel to tank under one coordinated process.

Shipping agent submits vessel particulars and estimated time of arrival (ETA); terminal confirms berth availability and scheduling window.

Terminal reviews vessel documentation, tank compatibility, and cargo specification ahead of arrival to avoid delays at berth.

Pilots and mooring crews bring the vessel alongside; a joint ship/shore safety checklist is completed before hoses are connected.

Product is pumped between vessel and shore tanks under continuous supervision, with flow rates and line-up managed by the terminal control room.

Independent surveyors gauge shore tanks and draw samples before and after the operation to establish quantity and quality.

Statement of Facts, Bill of Lading, and gauge reports are finalised and issued once the vessel completes its operation and departs berth.

Formal notice tendered by the vessel confirming it is ready to berth and commence cargo operations.

Chronological record of every stage of the port call — arrival, berthing, hose connection, discharge, and departure — used to calculate laytime.

A joint checklist completed by vessel and terminal staff before cargo transfer begins, confirming safety systems are in place.

Independent measurement of shore tank volumes before and after the operation, used to calculate quantity received or loaded.

Issued for loading operations, confirming quantity and grade of product shipped and evidencing title for onward sale or trade finance.

What does "terminal operations" actually cover?

Terminal operations refers to the physical handling of a cargo at the port — berth scheduling, vessel mooring, pumping product between vessel and shore tanks, tank gauging, sampling, and the documentation that accompanies each step. It is distinct from the commercial storage contract (tank storage or tank leasing) governing why the product is at the terminal in the first place.

How is vessel turnaround time managed?

Turnaround is managed through pre-arrival planning — reviewing vessel and cargo details before the ship arrives — combined with dedicated pumping capacity and jetty scheduling designed to minimise time waiting for berth. Typical discharge operations for a product tanker are completed within 24–48 hours of berthing, depending on cargo volume and grade.

What safety standards apply during discharge or loading?

Operations follow ship/shore safety checklists consistent with OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum) and ISGOTT (International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals) guidance, covering fire safety, static electricity precautions, emergency shutdown procedures, and communication protocols between vessel and terminal.

Who verifies the quantity of cargo discharged or loaded?

Cargo quantity is confirmed by independent surveyors — typically SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas — through tank gauging before and after the operation, not solely by terminal staff. This independent verification is what allows the resulting figures to be relied upon in a Bill of Lading or Certificate of Quantity.

Can terminal operations be combined with a storage or lease agreement?

Yes — in practice, most clients use terminal operations alongside either a tank storage arrangement or a dedicated tank lease, so cargo intake and redelivery handling is scheduled as part of the same overall service rather than negotiated separately for each vessel call.

What happens if a vessel arrives before its scheduled berth window?

The vessel typically waits at anchorage until the nominated berth becomes available, unless an earlier slot has opened up due to another vessel completing operations ahead of schedule. Waiting time and any resulting demurrage is calculated from the Statement of Facts and allocated per the terms agreed between charterer and terminal.