A hold inspection is an on-site check, made before loading begins, that confirms a vessel's cargo holds are clean, dry, odour-free and structurally fit for the intended cargo. Previous cargo residues, loose rust scale, moisture and leaking hatch covers are among the most common causes of cargo damage, which is why the hold inspection is the first and most decisive step of any loading operation.
Why must holds be inspected before loading?
Once cargo is in the hold, it is almost impossible to prove what condition the hold was in beforehand. When contamination, wetting or discolouration is found at the discharge port, the first question asked is whether the hold was fit to receive cargo. Dated records and photographs taken before loading answer that question.
The inspection is also an operational decision point. A hold found unfit can be re-cleaned, dried or have its hatch seals repaired. Dealing with these issues before the cargo goes in costs far less than defending a cargo claim afterwards.
What hold cleanliness standards are used?
Charter parties and sale contracts usually describe hold cleanliness using established trade expressions. Their precise meaning is a matter of contract and cargo type, but the grades commonly used in the field can be summarised as follows:
- Hospital clean: the strictest standard, with intact paintwork, stain-free surfaces and holds completely dry; sometimes required for sensitive food or chemical cargoes.
- Grain clean: holds swept, washed, dry, odour-free and free of loose rust scale and previous cargo residues; widely required for grain and similar cargoes.
- Normal clean or broom clean: holds swept and previous residues removed; often acceptable for similar or less sensitive cargoes.
- Shovel clean: only the bulk of the previous cargo removed by shovel; typically accepted when the same commodity is being reloaded.
What does the surveyor check inside the hold?
Wherever access allows, the surveyor enters the hold rather than inspecting from the hatch coaming. The tank top, side shell, frames, ladders and corners are examined individually, and each hold is recorded as either passed or failed.
Safety comes first on entry. Holds that have been closed up or fumigated may be oxygen-deficient or contain harmful gases, so a hold should only be entered once the ship has confirmed the atmosphere is safe and its enclosed space procedures have been followed.
- Dust, grains or residues from the previous cargo
- Loose rust scale and flaking paint
- Moisture, standing water and signs of condensation
- Odour and any sign of insects or pests
- Bilge wells and bilge covers
- Ventilation openings and hold lighting
- Hatch cover rubber seals and compression bars
How is hatch cover weathertightness tested?
For cargoes sensitive to rain and seawater, weathertight hatch covers are critical. The most common field method is the hose test: a jet of water is directed at the cover joints from a set distance while an observer inside the hold looks for leaks. It can only be done with the hold empty.
An ultrasonic test uses a transmitter placed inside the hold and a hand-held receiver moved along the joints outside to pinpoint leaks, and has the advantage of working with cargo already loaded. A chalk test is a useful supplementary check of whether the seals make proper contact with the compression bars.
What happens when a hold fails inspection?
The surveyor photographs and records the finding and notifies the client, the ship's officers and the agent. Decisions on re-cleaning, drying or delaying loading are taken by the contracting parties, not by the surveyor.
After remedial work the hold is re-inspected and the time of the second inspection is recorded as well. That timing can matter between the parties when assessing the validity of the notice of readiness and the start of laytime.
How does hold preparation vary by cargo?
What makes a hold fit depends on what is to be loaded. For grain, sugar, soya meal and other food or feed cargoes, cleanliness, odour and pest checks dominate; if the previous cargo was coal, ore or fertiliser, a far more thorough wash may be needed.
For steel products, dry holds and working bilge wells are essential, and the dunnage and separation material placed under and between the cargo must itself be clean and dry. Moisture-sensitive cargoes such as cement and fertiliser call for particular attention to hatch weathertightness and to ventilation that limits condensation.
What should a hold inspection report contain?
A sound hold inspection record states the vessel, port, date and times of inspection, a hold-by-hold assessment, any defects found and supporting photographs. The names of the ship's officer who attended and of any other parties present are also noted.
Karan Gözetim, based in Gemlik, carries out hold inspections as part of its loading and discharge supervision work; the exact scope and report content are agreed at the quotation stage.
Frequently asked questions
Who carries out the hold inspection, the ship or an independent surveyor?
The ship's officers prepare and check the holds under their own procedures. An independent hold inspection is carried out on behalf of the shipper, charterer or receiver to create a neutral record. One does not replace the other; they complement each other.
Is a hose test mandatory for every loading?
There is no general obligation. Whether one is needed depends on the charter party, the cargo and what the parties request. It is frequently requested for steel products, paper and grain.
How long does a hold inspection take?
It depends on the number of holds, ease of access and lighting. Because a failed hold has to be re-inspected, it is sensible to allow time for that possibility in the operation plan.
Topics
- hold inspection
- pre-loading hold inspection
- cargo hold cleanliness standards
- grain clean hold
- hatch cover hose test
- hold suitability survey