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Ship-to-ship operations are very common, especially in the larger tanker vessel classes like VLCCs and ULCCs that can carry massive quantities of oil, sometimes up to 4 million barrels. Within the maritime industry, these operations are essential for maintaining cargo flexibility and efficiency. The Signal Ocean Platform supports shipping company professionals by tracking vessels and the commercial shipping operations management they’re engaged in, offering valuable insights into these activities. But first, let’s explore the fundamentals.
What is a Ship-to-Ship operation, why is it more common in tankers and what are the benefits and possible risks?
Typically, vessel operations like loading and discharge happen between a ship and a port terminal. However, in certain cases, transferring cargo directly between vessels in open sea is more efficient. In such operations, one ship acts as a floating terminal while the other moors alongside it. The ship receiving the cargo is known as the daughter vessel, and the one delivering is the mother vessel. Common cargoes transferred include crude oil, LPG, LNG, bulk cargo, and petroleum products.
STS operations are especially relevant for large tankers that may face supply chain or port access limitations. These operations help avoid port congestion and reduce berthing costs and delays, all of which are key in high-stakes, real-time logistics.
That said, STS procedures require robust shipping operations management to mitigate risks such as accidents or oil spills. Coordination, timing, and clear documentation—such as a bill of lading—are critical to safe execution.
How STS operations report work in the Signal Ocean Platform
The STS Operations report displays all Ship-to-Ship Operations carried out at specific areas or ports, within a selected time frame, going back 12 months. Users can select a combination of areas and/or ports to focus on.
Ship to Ship (STS) Operations Report in Signal Ocean Platform
The report focuses on 3 types of STS operations, including Lightering (when a bigger vessel operates with a smaller one), a Cargo Transfer (when vessels of the same size operate) and FPSO/Storage (when the operation involves a Storage or FPSO vessel). The data are displayed in a table format with filtering and sorting options per column. The table includes information ranging from Vessel names,Operation types and IMO, to Commercial operators.
Visualization of STS operation inside voyage history in Signal Ocean Platform
Why is monitoring STS operations useful for players involved in commercial shipping and commodities trading?
Understanding STS load and/or/ discharge operations can be very useful when trying to track vessels and understand cargo flows. There are well-known areas (like the US Gulf and Singapore) that constitute key hubs for STS operations, mainly due to port restrictions preventing larger vessels from entering. Monitoring STS operations is critical for charterers, traders, and analysts involved in vessel operations and broader shipping company strategies. Hubs such as the US Gulf and Singapore frequently serve as STS hotspots due to port limitations.
How are STS operations identified, using data and technology?
Signal has developed state-of-the-art Machine Learning algorithms that fuse different data sources like AIS data, commercial market data, and a proprietary geofencing, to accurately identify when two vessels are in the process of conducting STS operations. The algorithms exhibit generic and robust performance and are capable to efficiently recognise STS operations across the globe. Complex scenarios can also be recognised like STS operations involving multiple active or storage vessels.
By carefully tracking each vessel across a specific sector the objective is to identify vessels that are in proximity at the same period of time. Having such information the next step involves understanding the operation type of each vessel that participates in the STS operation as well as other detailed characteristics that can enable us to model different aspects of the operation like flows of cargo. The final event is estimated by understanding the final time period of the operation. All events are then fused in the Signal system with a plethora of different data sources and state-of-the-art models to produce the actual itinerary of a vessel.
The data is also available via API or export on our premium plans, allowing users to feed their systems and models (e.g. for commodity trading) while looking for signals that drives their trading or other processes.
Creating a sustainable world requires us to embark on a journey towards a zero emission future, where every step is a commitment to preserve our planet for future generations.
Albert Greenway
Environmental Scientist, Sustainability Expert
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Increased Use of Renewable Energy:
Shipping companies are embracing renewable energy sources to power onboard systems and reduce emissions during port operations. Solar panels and wind turbines are being installed on vessels to generate clean energy, reducing reliance on auxiliary engines, and cutting down emissions. Shore power facilities in ports allow ships to connect to the electrical grid, eliminating the need for onboard generators while docked.
Collaboration and Industry Partnerships:
Recognizing that addressing emissions requires collective action, shipping companies, governments, and organizations have formed partnerships and collaborations. These initiatives focus on research and development, sharing best practices, and promoting knowledge transfer. Joint projects aim to develop and deploy innovative technologies, improve infrastructure, and create a supportive regulatory framework to accelerate the industry's transition towards a greener future. The Zero Emission Shipping - Mission Innovation.
To pave the way for a greener future in shipping, the availability of alternative fuels plays a vital role in their widespread adoption. However, this availability is influenced by factors such as port infrastructure, local regulations, and government policies. As the demand for cleaner fuels in shipping rises and environmental regulations become more stringent, efforts are underway to improve the accessibility of these fuels through infrastructure development, collaborations, and investments in production facilities.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure has seen significant growth in recent years, resulting in more LNG bunkering facilities and LNG-powered vessels. Nonetheless, the availability of LNG as a marine fuel can still vary depending on the region. To ensure consistent availability worldwide, there is a need for further development of LNG supply chains and infrastructure. For biofuels, their availability hinges on production capacity and the availability of feedstock. Although biofuels are being produced and utilized in various sectors, their availability as a marine fuel remains limited. Scaling up biofuel production and establishing robust supply chains are imperative to ensure wider availability within the shipping industry.Hydrogen, as a fuel for maritime applications, is still in the early stages of infrastructure development. While some hydrogen vessels have been tested or introduced in the first quarter of last year, the infrastructure required for hydrogen production and distribution needs further advancement.
Ammonia, as a marine fuel, currently faces limitations in availability. The production, storage, and handling infrastructure for ammonia need further development to support its widespread use in the shipping industry.Methanol, on the other hand, is already a commercially available fuel and has been used as a blend with conventional fuels in some ships. However, its availability as a standalone marine fuel can still be limited in certain regions. Bureau Veritas in October 2022 published a White Paper for the Alternative Fuels Outlook. This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of alternative fuels for the shipping industry, taking into account key factors such as technological maturity, availability, safety, emissions, and regulations.
Creating a sustainable world requires us to embark on a journey towards a zero emission future, where every step is a commitment to preserve our planet for future generations.
Albert Greenway
Environmental Scientist, Sustainability Expert
Increased Use of Renewable Energy:
Shipping companies are embracing renewable energy sources to power onboard systems and reduce emissions during port operations. Solar panels and wind turbines are being installed on vessels to generate clean energy, reducing reliance on auxiliary engines, and cutting down emissions. Shore power facilities in ports allow ships to connect to the electrical grid, eliminating the need for onboard generators while docked.
Collaboration and Industry Partnerships:
Recognizing that addressing emissions requires collective action, shipping companies, governments, and organizations have formed partnerships and collaborations. These initiatives focus on research and development, sharing best practices, and promoting knowledge transfer. Joint projects aim to develop and deploy innovative technologies, improve infrastructure, and create a supportive regulatory framework to accelerate the industry's transition towards a greener future. The Zero Emission Shipping - Mission Innovation.
To pave the way for a greener future in shipping, the availability of alternative fuels plays a vital role in their widespread adoption. However, this availability is influenced by factors such as port infrastructure, local regulations, and government policies. As the demand for cleaner fuels in shipping rises and environmental regulations become more stringent, efforts are underway to improve the accessibility of these fuels through infrastructure development, collaborations, and investments in production facilities.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure has seen significant growth in recent years, resulting in more LNG bunkering facilities and LNG-powered vessels. Nonetheless, the availability of LNG as a marine fuel can still vary depending on the region. To ensure consistent availability worldwide, there is a need for further development of LNG supply chains and infrastructure. For biofuels, their availability hinges on production capacity and the availability of feedstock. Although biofuels are being produced and utilized in various sectors, their availability as a marine fuel remains limited. Scaling up biofuel production and establishing robust supply chains are imperative to ensure wider availability within the shipping industry.Hydrogen, as a fuel for maritime applications, is still in the early stages of infrastructure development. While some hydrogen vessels have been tested or introduced in the first quarter of last year, the infrastructure required for hydrogen production and distribution needs further advancement.
Ammonia, as a marine fuel, currently faces limitations in availability. The production, storage, and handling infrastructure for ammonia need further development to support its widespread use in the shipping industry.Methanol, on the other hand, is already a commercially available fuel and has been used as a blend with conventional fuels in some ships. However, its availability as a standalone marine fuel can still be limited in certain regions. Bureau Veritas in October 2022 published a White Paper for the Alternative Fuels Outlook. This white paper provides a comprehensive overview of alternative fuels for the shipping industry, taking into account key factors such as technological maturity, availability, safety, emissions, and regulations.
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