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Port Headland Australia Mooring Requirements

Port Hedland Authority issued the Marine Safety Bulletin 01/2021, regarding mooring safety with the port and terminals. Additionally BHP issued new requirements to come into force from  May 2021.

Mooring line failures / parted mooring line incidents pose a significant risk to personnel, infrastructure, and operations in the port. Over the past few years, a significant number of mooring line incidents were reported in the Port of Port Hedland (the Port). These form approximately 20% of all marine incidents in the Port.

Port Hedland Marine Safety Bulletin 01/2021

In accordance with the bulletin, all vessels calling Port Hedland should have Line Management Plan (LMP) or similar, in order to:

  1. Comply with Port Hedland mooring requirements
  2. Check for wear and damage, and to apply a trained and consistent approach in identifying early indications of a potential mooring line failure.
  3. Define the intervals for end-forend changes and replacement criteria for mooring lines.
  4. Manage all assessed risks
  5. To ensure that during mooring operations, no harm comes to the ship’s crew or terminal staff, no damage is caused to the ship or terminal/facility it is interfacing with and that the mooring system meets all applicable regulations, codes and recommended practices.
  6. Ensure that the use of chafe guards for protecting mooring lines against chafe damage is adequately implemented as per industry guidelines
  7. Set and test the winch brakes as per industry;s standards and the recommendations given in ISO Standard 3730:2012 and leading Industry publications such as the OCIMF – Mooring Equipment Guidelines

 

BHP Requirements

Additionally to the above , the BHP one the major Terminal managers in Port Hedland, has issued updated requirements (which are in line with Marine Safety Bulletin 01/2021), for adequate and safe mooring.

All vessels calling at the Terminal and their crew must comply with the mandatory requirements described below from 17 May 2021. Verification that the vessel and crew are compliant with there requirements will occur through the vessel vetting process, the Terminal Questionnaire and/or an inspection on board the vessel.

 

Compliance Required

Plans to be developed will comply with

  • OCIMF MEG4 Publication
  • Port Hedland Port handbook
  • Port Hedland Marine Safety Bulletin
  • BHP Mooring Lines Latest Requirements (May 2021)


Verification

AMSA local inspectors are expected to verify the local Port Hedland Port Authority and Pilbara Ports guidance and marine safety bulletins. Furthermore BHP states in their circular that all vessels calling at the Terminal and their crew must comply with the mandatory BHP requirements from 17 May 2021. Verification that the vessel and crew are compliant with the requirements will occur through the vessel vetting process, the Terminal Questionnaire and/or an inspection on board the vessel.

 

Deadlines

BHP requires implementation from 17 May 2021 for all Port Hedland Terminals  providing a transition period until 01 July 2021.

 

List of Port Marine Circular & BHP Requirements

Item Requirement Status
Certification
1. Vessels shall have on board, valid and up-to-date certificates for all mooring lines and mooring tails that are in use or kept as spares. These certificates must be produced for inspection if requested by BHP New
2. Mooring lines shall not exceed a maximum duration of 5 years from the date stated in each line certificate, unless the vessel can demonstrate to BHP’s satisfaction that:

  1. (A) Mooring lines are stowed and maintained in accordance with the vessel’s mooring lines management plan, after taking into account the weather (shipping seas, exposure to sunlight, air humidity and free air circulation) and trade (penetration of iron ore cargo residues in mooring lines, number of port operations, exposure to dynamic forces during cargo operation) related factors, or
    (B) Mooring lines manufacturers have certified for the usage beyond 5 years from the certificate date due to (a) higher quality of mooring lines, and (b) mooring lines are subject to manufacturers’ systemic inspection and maintenance program; and
  2. The vessel had no mooring lines related incidents or adverse feedback from terminals or port officials during the last 12 months, and
  3. Material evidence (certificates, mooring lines management plan, maintenance records,photographs, mooring line inventory, schematic drawing of the mooring system) is available and verified by BHP vetting officer during the vetting stage of the nomination process
Modified
3. At all times, the minimum length of the mooring line shall be 200 metres. Existing
4. The maximum diameter of the mooring line must not exceed 110mm New
5. The guaranteed minimum breaking load (GMBL) on all lines shall be >75T, if the DWT>=120k. Existing
6. Mooring lines on the vessel in the same service area (e.g. headlines, spring lines, breast lines and stern lines) must be uniform in all respects i.e. the same type of material, diameter and have the same minimum breaking load (MBL). Existing
7. All mooring lines (including spares) shall be in good condition and free from knots, bends, splices and wear/abrasion damage. Existing
8. Each vessel shall carry a minimum of 2 spare mooring lines of each type of mooring line carried on board, and the spare mooring lines must meet all the same requirements as the lines in use Existing
9.. Wire ropes will not be accepted. New
High modulus synthetic fibre lines
10. Lines with limited stretch (elasticity), such as high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) lines, must be used with mooring tails in line with the recommendations of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). New
Mooring Tails
11. Vessels shall ensure that all tail (pendant) connections to the main line are in accordance with the requirements of the OEM. New
12. Tails must have a breaking force that is recommended by the OEM and suitable of the mooring line that they are joined to AND Tail end ropes must be changed in accordance with the OCIMF guideline or every 24 months from the date of certificate, subject to the rope condition assessed by BHP; whichever comes first. New
13. Tails must have a minimum length of 11 metres. New
14. Metal shackles will not be accepted. New
Winch Breaks
15. Winch rendering limits are to be in accordance with the requirements of:

  • The mooring winch manufacturer, and
  • The vessel’s safety management system.

The winch brakes must complete and pass brake-rendering tests once every 12 months; or after mooring ropes in the same service area are changed; or after mooring winch break lining are changed, whichever comes first.

New
16. Mooring winch brakes shall be set at 60% of the vessel’s design MBL >45T, if the DWT>=120k. New
Vessel crew and line management
17. Adequate vessel crewing shall be made available to ensure moorings can be monitored at all times New
18. Mooring lines shall not be secured on crucifixes or on to warping drums (drum ends). New
19. The full length of all mooring lines shall undergo at least one detailed inspection at intervals of not more than 12 months and all records shall be kept on board and made available for inspection upon request. New
20. Mooring lines shall be turned/rotated end to end every 2.5 years from the time in first use and records shall be made available for verification by BHP. Modified

 

BHP mooring line technology incentive

Additionally to above requirements, a new mooring line technology incentive will come into force from 1st April 2021.

BHP will discount the line handling fee for certain new technology adoption, to incentivize the advancement of mooring line safety improvements. The incentive will apply to the use of products incorporating technology aimed at reducing the snap backs of mooring lines together with the appropriate line management plan,as determined or approved by BHP.

Actions required

Managers of ships calling Port Hedland should have an effective Mooring Management Plan to ensure that the mooring lines are inspected, operated and maintained in accordance with port’s requirements in order to support and address the requirements set by Marine Safety Bulletin 01/2021 and BHP guidelines.

The MLMP should contain:

  1. A detailed description of the procedures, roles and responsibilities required
  2. An equipment section with all equipment requirements and guidance
  3. An Inspection section for inspections and monitoring requirements.
  4. A training Section for crew familiarization (using training Posters or other material)

Taking into consideration that :

  1. These are new and formal requirements for ships calling at Port Hedland
  2. A transitional period provided by BHP only up to the end of June, and
  3. There are several differences with MEG4 (see below Annex)

It is strongly recommended that ship managers should ASAP either develop Mooring and line Management Plans to fully comply with the Port Hedland requirements or revise the already existing/developed plans.

 

How we may help

SQEMARINE has already developed more than 850 Mooring Systems & Lines Management Plans based on OCIMF MEG 4 requirements and can provide a proper ship specific solution with a either a revision of an existing plan or a development of a new Mooring Lines Management Plan in line with the Port Hedland requirements.

 

 

You may also find further information on the Port Marine Circular and BHP guidelines at SAFETY4SEA

 


Annex A: OCIMF MEG4 vs Port Hedland Mooring Requirements
No. Requirement OCIMF MEG-4 Port Hedland Requirements
1. Vessels shall have on board, valid and up-to-date certificates for all mooring lines and mooring tails that are in use or kept as spares. These certificates must be produced for inspection if requested Yes Yes
2. Mooring lines shall not exceed a maximum duration of 5 years from the date stated in each line certificate, unless the vessel can demonstrate to BHP’s satisfaction that:

  1. (A) Mooring lines are stowed and maintained in accordance with the vessel’s mooring lines management plan, after taking into account the weather (shipping seas, exposure to sunlight, air humidity and free air circulation) and trade (penetration of iron ore cargo residues in mooring lines, number of port operations, exposure to dynamic forces during cargo operation) related factors, or
    (B) Mooring lines manufacturers have certified for the usage beyond 5 years from the certificate date due to (a) higher quality of mooring lines, and (b) mooring lines are subject to manufacturers’ systemic inspection and maintenance program; and
  2. The vessel had no mooring lines related incidents or adverse feedback from terminals or port officials during the last 12 months, and
  3. Material evidence (certificates, mooring lines management plan, maintenance records,photographs, mooring line inventory, schematic drawing of the mooring system) is available and verified by BHP vetting officer during the vetting stage of the nomination process
No specific time requirement Yes
3. At all times, the minimum length of the mooring line shall be 200 metres. No specific minimum requirement Yes
4. The maximum diameter of the mooring line must not exceed 110mm No specific maximum requirement Yes
5. The guaranteed minimum breaking load on all lines shall be >75T, if the DWT>=120k. No specific minimum requirement Yes
6. Mooring lines on the vessel in the same service area (e.g. headlines, spring lines, breast lines and stern lines) must be uniform in all respects i.e. the same type of material, diameter and have the same minimum breaking load (MBL). No Yes
7. All mooring lines (including spares) shall be in good condition and free from knots, bends, splices and wear/abrasion damage. Yes Yes
8. Each vessel shall carry a minimum of 2 spare mooring lines of each type of mooring line carried on board, and the spare mooring lines must meet all the same requirements as the lines in use No Yes
9. Wire ropes will not be accepted No such requirement Yes
10. Lines with limited stretch (elasticity), such as high modulus polyethylene (HMPE) lines, must be used with mooring tails in line with the recommendations of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Yes Yes
11. Vessels shall ensure that all tail (pendant) connections to the main line are in accordance with the requirements of the OEM. Yes Yes
12. Tail end ropes must have a breaking force that is recommended by the OEM and suitable for the mooring line that they are joined to AND Tail end ropes must be changed in accordance with the OCIMF guideline or every 24 months from the date of certificate, subject to the rope condition assessed by BHP; whichever comes first. Yes Yes
13. Tails must have a minimum length of 11 metres. 11m or 22m Yes
14. Metal shackles will not be accepted. No such requirement Yes
15. Winch rendering limits are to be in accordance with the requirements of:

  1. The mooring winch manufacturer, and
  2. The vessel’s safety management system.

And, the winch brakes must complete and pass brake-rendering tests once every 12 months; or after mooring ropes in the same service area are changed; or after mooring winch break lining are changed, whichever comes first.

Yes Yes
16. Mooring winch brakes shall be set at 60% of the vessel’s design MBL >45T, if the DWT>=120k. Yes Yes
17. Adequate vessel crewing shall be made available to ensure moorings can be monitored at all times. Yes Yes
18. Mooring lines shall not be secured on crucifixes or on to warping drums (drum ends). Yes Yes
19. The full length of all mooring lines shall undergo at least one detailed inspection at intervals of not more than 12 months and all records shall be kept on board and made available for inspection upon request. Yes Yes
20. Mooring lines shall be turned/rotated end to end every 2.5 years from the time in first use and records shall be made available for verification by BHP. No specific time requirement Yes
21. Define the intervals for end-for end changes and replacement criteria for mooring lines Yes Yes
22. Manage all assessed risks Yes Yes
23. To ensure that during mooring operations, no harm comes to the ship’s crew or terminal staff, no damage is caused to the ship or terminal/facility it is interfacing with and that the mooring system meets all applicable regulations, codes and recommended practices Yes Yes
24. Ensure that the use of chafe guards for protecting mooring lines against chafe damage is adequately implemented as per industry guidelines Yes Yes
25. Set and test the winch brakes as per industry;s standards and the recommendations given in ISO Standard 3730:2012 and leading Industry publications such as the OCIMF – Mooring Equipment Guidelines Yes Yes
26. Ship design MBL. To be issued for ships subject to MEG-4 Yes Νο
MBL as per EN issued by Class or Yard
27. Mooring equipment & Lines detailed register Yes No
28. Maximum breaking load for lines (LDBF up 105% of Ship Design MBL) Yes No specific requirement
29. Retirement of mooring line at 75% of residual strength Yes No
30. Change Management procedure Yes No