Standard Club informed that tankers have been issued with new deck-cooling orders by the Panama Canal Authority (ACP). The orders take effect from this month and regard all crude, product and chemical tankers carrying cargoes with flashpoints of less than 18 degrees.
In a note to members, BIMCO informed that the move was made to ensure the safety of canal operations, as well as to reduce disruptions in transit scheduling.
Specifically, main decks must be cooled by a sprinkler system, or any other means available during transit. This will prevent automatic activation of release relief valves during transit.
In addition, the cooling must be performed between 1000 and 1600 hours while the ship is underway at Gatun Lake or Gaillard Cut, or at anchor in canal waters. However, it must be stopped while a vessel is going through locks.
