Step 4 of 5•2 minutes read
Adverse Effects of Cold Climates on Ship's Cargo and Ballast Systems
Freshwater, ballast, and cargo systems should be carefully placed or fitted with heating equipment to prevent the tank’s contents from freezing or leaking into the environment. This is a requirement for ice classification and critical safety for operating in polar waters.
Ballast Water Systems
Ballast water systems may be fitted with some heating arrangement to ensure that the water does not freeze and cause damage to the ship. However, cycling the ballast water may be acceptable to meet the classification requirements for operating in polar waters. If this is the case, the suction and returns will require a heating system to ensure they remain ice-free to allow cycling.
The diagram below shows a typical setup for the suction and discharge lines on polar class vessels with the associated heating equipment required.
Ballast water intake heating system.
Cargo Systems
In a similar vein to the ballast systems, cargo systems will need to have some heating systems to ensure that the cargo is stored at the correct temperature following the carriage instructions. This is usually a steam system on tankers, but maybe a ventilation system on other vessels. The cargo must be kept within the correct carriage temperatures, so the heating systems must be in good working order and well managed throughout the voyage.