201251 Prudent ballasting practices

It is advisable for bulk carriers to keep the level of ballast water in double bottom tanks below the tank top level until the entire cargo from the respective hold is completely discharged. This prudent practice is to avoid any damage to cargo by water which may potentially enter the hold via leaking double-bottom tank manhole lids, sounding and air pipes and cracks or holes in tank plating.

For greater control and safety, it is also good practice to run water into double-bottomed tanks by gravity initially, and to verify visually and by sounding the hold bilges that there is no water ingress in the holds.