This industry guide provides recommendations on safety, minimum equipment levels and good operating practices. If more stringent international, national or local regulations apply then they should take precedence.

This guide is a required publication on the SIRE Vessel Inspection Questionnaires for Oil Tankers, Combination Carriers, Shuttle Tankers, Chemical Tankers and Gas Tankers.

This book supersedes:

• Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum) 4th Edition published in 2005

• Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Liquefied Gas) 2nd Edition published in 1995

• LNG Ship to Ship Transfer Guidelines published in 201.1

This book builds on the previous recommendations and recognises experience gained in the industry of STS transfer operations, including transferring chemical (MARPOL Annex II) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes. The guide is applicable to transfers involving all bulk liquid cargoes, but where specific recommendations relate to a particular cargo type these can be found in the appendices. For transfers involving Annex I cargoes, the guide supports the requirements and recommendations developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The guide is aimed at providing advice to Masters, Marine Superintendents and others including STS service operators and transfer organisers, who may be involved in planning and executing STS operations. Attention is also given to the effective planning of operations and areas that involve risk assessment.

The guide does not cover STS transfer operations that are associated with offshore exploration and production activities.