This Guide provides comprehensive guidance on the planning and execution of Ship to Ship (STS) transfer operations for petroleum, chemical and liquefied gas cargoes. Reflecting the latest operational best practices and regulatory developments, it is applicable to all ships involved in STS activities, whether conducted at sea or in port.

The definitive industry Guide for safe and effective STS operations, reflecting over 50 years of practical experience and regulatory alignment. This second edition builds upon the foundational guidance of its predecessors and incorporates significant updates to address emerging industry needs.

The second edition has been fully revised and updated and contains:

  • A dedicated chapter on human factors, emphasising the importance of human performance and decision-making in STS operations.
  • Updated protocols for personnel transfer, including best practices derived from OCIMF's ‘Transfer of Personnel by Crane Between Vessels’ information paper, promoting a risk-based approach to safe transfers (Chapter 5)
  • Enhanced guidance on STS-specific equipment, including fenders, cargo hoses, vapour hoses and mooring equipment.
  • Consolidated cargo operations guidelines within Chapter 10, which is divided into four distinct sections: Oil, Chemicals, LPG, and LNG.
  • Revised Ship to Ship Safety Checklists aligned with ISGOTT, reflecting best practices for procedural integrity and risk mitigation. The checklists are organised into six sections, covering the entire STS operation step by step.

The Guide also outlines key operator responsibilities, including adherence to Flag State and Port State Control requirements, maintaining liability insurance, and implementing Safety Management  Systems (SMS) with best practice STS Operations Plans. Additionally, it introduces terminology updates for enhanced clarity.

It is intended for use by ship operators, Masters, Marine Superintendents, STS service providers, local administrations and other stakeholders and serves as a benchmark for safety and compliance during both routine and emergency STS transfers. It supports the requirements of MARPOL Annex I and includes a Foreword by the IMO Secretary-General, reflecting the strong relationship between industry and the IMO. The Guide is recommended to be kept on board every vessel and terminal involved in STS operations.

The eBook and print version have unique covers to illustrate two ships moored in an STS configuration. Both versions are available to pre-order now.