Cargo Hold Cleaning Case Study: MV TROODOS OAK

Trans-Atlantic Logistics: Overcoming Severe Coal Contamination on MV TROODOS OAK

The Operational Challenge: Deep Coal Contamination

When a dry bulk vessel carries multiple coal cargoes in a row, the structural surfaces become heavily caked with deeply embedded soot and dust. This is especially true for the upper portions of the holds, the underside of cross-decks, and high-altitude areas where a standard ship's crew cannot safely reach or effectively clean without specialized equipment.

On the large bulk carrier MV "TROODOS OAK", the operational profile demanded an aggressive, rapid cleaning strategy:

Vessel Size & Dimensions: 7 Holds / 7 Hatches, DWT 85,439 mt, LOA 228.95 m, Beam 35.00 m.
Holds Volume: 89,324 cubic meters.
The Logistical Route: Sailing a trans-Atlantic crossing from Jorf Lasfar, Morocco, to Itaqui, Brazil.
The Cargo Transition: Shifting from back-to-back heavy bulk coal voyages to a strict bulk soya bean (grain) standard.

The contamination was extensive. The topside tank plating in all 7 holds was completely blackened, appearing as though the coal had been directly stored high up on the structural frames rather than on the tank top. Given the limited navigation time to the loading port in Brazil, a flawless workflow had to be orchestrated.

The 5-Step Heavy-Duty Technical Execution

To securely transition the vessel within the passage window, Delta Maritime Agency's certified hold cleaning riding team deployed a specialized multi-stage cleaning and maritime hold maintenance framework:

Initial Washout: Stripping loose surface residues and clearing out baseline contamination.
Chemical Application: Spraying targeted chemical agents over all bulkheads, topside tank plating, and frames to break down the resilient bonding of the embedded coal soot.
High-Pressure (HP) Cleaning: Utilizing heavy-duty high-pressure washdown machinery to scrub away the dissolved coal grease from the highest overhead areas of the cargo holds.
Freshwater (FW) Rinsing & Drying: Executing a comprehensive freshwater rinse of all holds and hatch coamings to completely remove salt content, followed by rigorous bilge well cleaning and forced air drying.
Touch-Up Maintenance & Spot Painting: Performing crucial protective maintenance on hard-to-reach structural areas, treating rust appearances or burned stains on the upper portions of the bulkheads, hoppers, and in-between frames.

Perfect Results: Zero Remarks from Attending Surveyors

Thanks to the continuous round-the-clock operations managed by our riding team during the trans-Atlantic ocean passage, the massive dry bulk carrier was transformed.

Upon arrival at the loading berth in Itaqui, Brazil, the vessel underwent a strict physical hold inspection. The attending surveyors noted the pristine condition of the bulkheads and officially accepted all 7 holds without a single remark. The vessel was cleared for immediate loading of its soya bean cargo with zero operational delay.

Don't Risk Cargo Rejections - Work with Experts

Relying solely on a fatigued ship's crew to handle extreme coal contamination frequently results in failed inspections, expensive off-hire penalties, and port delays. Delta Maritime Agency supplies global ship operators with elite riding teams certified for high-altitude scaling, armed with advanced equipment, and backed by a 100% inspection pass record.

Planning a high-risk cargo transition or need an immediate quotation?
📩 Contact our operations desk today: ops@delta-maritime.agency
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