OCIMF and ICS together with the International Association of Ports and Harbors revised and updated the International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT 6).

This Sixth Edition encompasses the latest thinking on a range of topical issues including gas detection, the toxicity and the toxic effects of petroleum products (including benzene and hydrogen sulphide), the generation of static electricity and stray currents, fire protection and the growing use of mobile electronic technology.

 

What’s new?

New significantly reappraised topics include:

  • Enclosed space entry.
  • Human factors.
  • Safety Management Systems (SMSs), including complementary tools and processes such as permits to work, risk assessment, Lock-out/Tag-out (LO/TO), Stop Work Authority (SWA) and their linkage to the underlying principles of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
  • Marine terminal administration and the critical importance of the tanker/terminal interface.
  • Alternative and emerging technologies.
  • Bunkering operations, including the use of alternative fuels such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
  • Cargo inspectors.
  • Alignment with OCIMF’s recently revised Mooring Equipment Guidelines.
  • Maritime security and linkage to both the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and industry’s maritime security Best Management Practices (BMP).

Care has been taken to ensure that where the guidance given in previous editions is still relevant and accurate, any amendments, changes or deletions have only enhanced the content and not diminished the ethos of ensuring the health, safety and environmental protection of those who use the guide.

The Ship/Shore Safety and Bunkering Operations Checklists have also been completely revised to reflect changes in the understanding of the impact of human factors in their effective use. The importance of ensuring that individual and joint responsibilities for the tanker and the terminal are clearly communicated before arrival, as well as when alongside, is central to this objective.
Both checklists are now available and free to download.

FAQs

ISGOTT 5 was published in 2006 and since then there have been many changes to legislation and standards. Enhancements to operational best practice have continued to evolve particularly around robust safety management systems, enclosed space entry, hot work and the ship/shore interface. There was also a need to include guidance on new or topical and critical issues current in today’s industry including discussion on Human Factors and Alternative and Emerging Technologies.
There will be a grace period for the transition from ISGOTT 5 to ISGOTT 6. During this time the OCIMF programme’s Vessel Inspection Questionnaires (VIQs) will not require a copy of ISGOTT 6 to be on board vessels and SIRE inspectors will not be looking for it. Until the transition the blue language will reflect ISGOTT 5. OCIMF highly recommends using the guidance in ISGOTT 6 as soon as possible as it has been updated and modernised.
See Is ISGOTT 5th Edition still valid?
See Is ISGOTT 5th Edition still valid?
The major changes you will find in ISGOTT 6 fall into three broad categories: 1.         Inclusion of new guidance on issues such as Marine Terminal Administration (including use of the OCIMF Marine Terminal Information System (MTIS)), Human Factors, Alternative and Emerging Technologies and Cargo Inspectors, 2.         Amendments and updates due to changes in legislation and standards e.g. revised standards for construction, maintenance and retirement of cargo transfer hoses,3.         Upgrades and enhancements to existing best practice guidance including the management of hazards and risks for tanker and terminal operations, enclosed space entry, firefighting, security, and the ship/shore marine terminal interface which includes updates to the ship/shore safety checklist and the bunker operations safety checklist. 
A significant review of the hot work sections was undertaken. The sections were realigned following changes to chapter 4 with detailed discussion on Safety Management and Permits moved across and most changes to previous content focussed on refreshing and aligning to current best practice including a refreshed procedure flowchart and the addition of new drawings.
Safe transfer operations depend on good communication between the terminal and tanker, from pre-arrival to post-departure, and on complying with agreed safe procedures at all stages. The revised Ship/Shore Safety Checklist aims to start that communication before vessel’s arrival/interface at the terminal so any identified issues can be addressed before a problem arises. The communication then continues from the time vessel arrives at the berth to completion of cargo operations and until vessel’s departure.  The positive affirmation approach used in the revised checklist where applicable aspects of the operation, refers back to ISGOTT 6 references and clearly differentiates areas of responsibility between vessel and terminal. The ISGOTT technical workgroup consulted with industry experts and specialists in human factors from the airline industry to leverage from best practice in using a checklist effectively. This led to the development of a multi-part checklist system where smaller, targeted process oriented checklists are undertaken at appropriate stages in the operation, and that items are clearly agreed via an affirmative question. Where agreements are reached for specific local issues these can now be clearly documented in a separate ‘Agreements Section’.
See Why has the Ship/Shore Safety Checklist changed significantly?
Yes – Section 24.3 Liquefied natural gas fuel ships and liquefied natural gas bunkering is closely aligned to SGMF Safety guidelines on gas as marine fuel, FP07-01, version 2.0.During the development of the ISGOTT 6th Edition SGMF and IAPH representatives were fully involved in the enhancement of the guidance around gas fuel bunkering and reference has been made to their own published guidance.
We recommend various parties to adapt to the revised checklist as proposed in chapter 25.
See Why has the Ship/Shore Safety Checklist changed significantly?