60-Hour Coal-to-Grain Hold Preparation on MV FENG MAY: Kamsarmax Turnaround Case Study
When managing large-scale bulk carriers, speed and precision directly determine charter profitability. For the massive Kamsarmax bulk carrier MV FENG MAY (85,005 DWT, 7 holds, 103,117 cubic meters capacity), the operational challenge was immense: transition all 7 holds from dirty bulk coal contamination to a strict, immaculate "grain-clean" standard ready to load barley in bulk.
The logistical window was exceptionally tight. The vessel operators set a strict deadline: all cargo hold preparation had to be fully completed within a maximum of 60 hours after sailing from the discharge port of IJmuiden, Netherlands, before arriving at the grain loading berth in Rostock, Germany.
Key Operational Metrics:
Vessel: MV FENG MAY (Kamsarmax Bulk Carrier / 85,005 DWT)
Transit Route: IJmuiden (Netherlands) to Rostock (Germany)
Time Window: 60 Hours Strict Deadline
Result: 100% Passed First Time with Zero Remarks
Overcoming Scale and Time Limits via Flawless Workflow Coordination
Cleaning 7 massive holds spanning over 103,000 cubic meters of internal steel surface within a 60-hour transit window is virtually impossible for a standard ship's crew alone. Coal soot and oily residues adhere stubbornly to complex structural components, bracket corners, upper frame structures, and under-deck frames, requiring heavy-duty, high-volume chemical washing and pressure cleaning.
To maximize every hour of ocean transit, Delta Maritime Agency mobilized a specialized marine riding team that boarded at IJmuiden. Operating under a disciplined 24/7 rotation schedule, our certified team executed an intensive, multi-stage hold maintenance plan while navigating the North and Baltic Seas.
Technical Hold Maintenance: Our Standardized 5-Stage Framework
Our riding team systematically executed our field-proven 5-stage hold washing and decontamination treatment:
Dry De-Gritting & Intensive Manual Sweeping: Thorough mechanical lifting and sweeping of all remaining loose coal residues, dust, and coal fines from tank tops, hoppers, and lower framing structures.
Targeted Marine Chemical Application: Uniform spraying of premium, marine-approved chemical cleaning emulsifiers (Marichem P.C.S.) across all bulkhead surfaces, frames, and deep stiffeners to break down stubborn hydrocarbon soot and coal tar film.
High-Volume Washout: Heavy-duty washing utilizing high-volume sea-water systems to flush away emulsified coal residues and dislodged chemical compounds.
Industrial High-Pressure Hydroblasting: Deep mechanical scrubbing and 500-bar high-pressure waterjet blasting across heavily contaminated shadow zones, corrugated bulkheads, bracket corners, and main tank tops.
Freshwater (FW) Rinsing, Bilge Decontamination & Complete Drying: Meticulous freshwater rinsing across all 7 holds, upper hatch structures, and hatch covers to eliminate salt deposits. Bilge wells were thoroughly flushed, cleared of debris, and vacuum-dried, followed by full hot-air drying of the tank tops to deliver a pristine, moisture-free environment for the incoming barley cargo.
The Result: First-Time Grain Acceptance at Rostock
Thanks to rigorous planning and seamless workflow execution, our riding team successfully completed all 7 holds well within the strict 60-hour transit window.
When the MV FENG MAY arrived at the loading berth in Rostock, Germany, independent cargo surveyors conducted a stringent hold inspection. All 7 cargo holds passed on the very first attempt without a single remark or delay.
By managing the entire cleanup operation en route, Delta Maritime Agency eliminated off-hire risks, protected the charter fixture, and saved the vessel operator multiple days of expensive intermediate anchorage fees and scheduling disruptions.
Protect Your Fleet's Charters with Delta Maritime Agency
Do not gamble with your fixtures or risk expensive vessel re-inspections by relying solely on overworked ship crews during tight transit windows. Entrust your fleet's cargo turnaround to certified, world-class riding team professionals.
Contact our global operations desk today to receive a competitive hold cleaning quotation: