In the first quarter of 2026, INTERCARGO (International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners) issued the first edition of the ‘Ship to Ship Transfer Guidelines for Bulk Carriers’, SQE MARINE informs in a recent circular.
This marks the first time a dry cargo stakeholder has developed dedicated guidance for such operations. In contrast, tanker operators have long relied on established guidelines – developed by International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) , Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO), Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF) and Chemical Distribution Institute (CDI) – with the second edition published in 2025.
Ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations involving bulk carriers have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, driven by logistical constraints, port limitations, and the need for greater flexibility in global supply chains. While such operations have long been standard practice in the tanker sector, the dry bulk industry has historically lacked dedicated, harmonised guidance. This gap has resulted in varying operational standards and, in some cases, an underestimation of the risks associated with bulk STS activities.
Bulk cargo transfers present distinct challenges, including cargo trimming and stability considerations, the risk of cargo shift, dust and spillage management, and the safe coordination of grab or conveyor operations between vessels.
Unlike liquid cargoes, these operations are often less predictable and more dependent on environmental conditions and human factors. The development of dedicated STS transfer guidelines for bulk carriers therefore, addresses a critical gap by promoting a structured, risk-based approach to planning and execution.
STS operations and RightShip RiSQ
The importance of STS guidance is reinforced by RightShip’s Risk Inspection Questionnaire (RiSQ), particularly Chapter 17, which addresses cargo and ballast operations. Several questions within this chapter are directly relevant to STS activities and collectively establish clear expectations for operators:
- Q17.1 & Q17.2: Require documented procedures for cargo operations, including non-routine or specialised activities such as STS transfers.
- Q17.3: Focuses on voyage and operation-specific risk assessments, a key requirement prior to undertaking any STS operation.
- Q17.5 & Q17.6: Address crew familiarity, training, and competence in cargo handling procedures, which are critical given the complexity of STS operations.
- Q17.8: Emphasises effective communication protocols—particularly important when coordinating between two vessels and, in some cases, third-party service providers.
- Q17.10: Highlights the need for contingency planning and emergency preparedness during cargo operations.
Taken together, these elements reflect a broader expectation that operators adopt formalized procedures, ensure crew readiness, and systematically manage risks associated with cargo handling – principles that are fully aligned with the newly developed STS transfer guidelines.
Structure of STS Transfer Guidelines
The newly published document is structured in Chapters as below:
- Chapter 1: Basic Principles, Conditions and Requirements
- Chapter 2: Planning and Preparedness
- Chapter 3: Safety, Security and the Environment
- Chapter 4: Maneuvering, Mooring and Unmooring
- Chapter 5 : Operations Alongside
- Chapter 6: Emergencies
- Chapter 7: Checklists
Highlights
The document introduces some new terms and assignments as STS superintendent, Transshipment Master etc. These roles should be incorporated into ship’s operations routine.
The relevant Risk Assessment is separated into two sections, in order to mitigate identified hazards:
- Transfer Location Risk Assessment (to check the area and conditions)
- Engaged Ship Risk Assessment (to check the ship specific hazards due to construction, systems and size)
- The use of appropriate checklists is essential for this procedure.
The guide also includes a detailed and practical section on fenders (selection and use), providing valuable guidance to operators and Masters.
The ‘Operations Section’ is divided into cargo transfer and personnel transfer. While most dry bulk operators already address cargo operations within their SMS (covering some of these aspects), personnel transfer between ships remains a particularly challenging area.
Dedicated sections cover mooring, alongside and unmooring operations, with specific analysis and checklists for each stage of the process.
The emergencies chapter outlines guidance and expectations for incidents related to communication, manoeuvring, mooring, unmooring and cargo transfer. It also includes a list of specific circumstances under which cargo operations should be suspended, as detailed in the relevant paragraph.
The plan includes six (6) checklists as below:
1- Ship Details for compatibility Assessment
2- Before Commencing STS Operations
3- Prior to Mooring Operations
4- Prior to Cargo transfer Operations
5- Prior Unmooring Operations
6- Due Diligence for Appointed STS service Provider (optional)
Actions required
For dry bulk operators, the practical value of these guidelines lies in their integration into daily operations and Safety Management Systems (SMS). This includes developing vessel-specific STS plans, conducting structured pre-transfer risk assessments, defining clear roles and responsibilities, and establishing effective communication channels among all parties involved.
"Operators should also ensure that crews receive appropriate training, while lessons learned from previous operations are systematically captured and incorporated into continuous improvement processes."
…SQE MARINE highlighted.
The development of a ship-specific STS Manual is strongly recommended, incorporating both generic and vessel-specific information to comprehensively address all aspects of STS operations.
By aligning operational practices with recognised vetting requirements such as RightShip Inspection Ship Questionnaire, operators can enhance safety, improve consistency, and demonstrate a proactive approach to risk management.
As STS operations continue to expand within the dry bulk trade, the adoption of such guidance will be essential to supporting safe and efficient cargo operations across the industry. In this context, SQEMARINE provides a ship specific Ship to Ship Transfer Plan to cover the requirements of INTERCARGO STS guidelines and RiSQ chapter 17.
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