Autoload Tanker loading computer screen

Have you ever imagined our life on board without loadicator?

While some intellectuals might find it of no difference to live without it, most of us can imagine how difficult it will be to calculate trims, drafts etc manually.

And most difficult part (rather an impossible one) will be to calculate Shear forces (SF) & bending moments (BM) manually.

So while most of us agree that loadicator has made our life onboard (Definitely the chief officer’s)  simple, are we using our loadictor to only calculate drafts, trims and stability?

There are many other things that we can use loadicator for. This post will highlight at least five of these things you can do with loadicator.

But before you do anything with loadicator, it is important to ensure that loadicator complies with the testing and carriage requirements.

Assuming your loadicator complies with all requirements, Let us take a recap of what we generally do with Loadicator.

Usual things everyone does on Loadicator

The first thing we do on receiving the voyage instructions is planning the stowage.

And the first thing we keep our eyes on while planning the stowage on loadicator is trim and list.

Loadicator provides information on the trim and list that the vessel will have in a particular stage of the stowage.

Other than trim and list, we also ensure that shear forces and bending moments does not exceed the safe limits.

Loadicators give the SF and BM values as the percentage of allowed limit. Ship staff is expected to keep it to the minimum but in any case less than 100% of the allowed limits.

Even keeping the SF & BM closer to but less than 100% over a longer period & multiple voyages can have the cracks developing in the ship’s structure.

And for this reason, we should always do our best to keep these values to the minimum. Loadicator off course help us to find these values with few clicks.

Vessels are also required to comply with the intact stability requirement as per SOLAS.  Again Loadicator helps us to get values to judge if we comply with these requirements.

Ships are also required to comply with damage stability criteria by different regulations.

For example, chemical tankers are required to comply with damage stability criteria by IBC code (International code of carriage of chemicals in Bulk).

Similarly, oil tankers are required to comply with damage stability criteria by Marpol & gas tankers by IGC code.

Until now it was not a requirement for ship’s loadicators to have the capability of calculating damage stability. But Marpol, IBC code, and IGC code was amended by Res MEPC 248(66), Res MSC.369 (93) and Res MSC.370 (93) respectively. First special survey after 01 Jan 2016, all tankers need to have loadicator that can calculate damage stability.

But even before this requirement, many ships were provided with the loadicators that could calculate the compliance with damage stability requirements.

Additional tasks that can be performed on Loadicator

Apart from the usual task that we perform on loadicator, there are some other tasks which can come very handy.

1. Online Loading or unloading rate

If your loadicator is online, you can also get live loading or discharging rate from individual tanks and as total rate. This information can be very handy when you are loading in more than one tank.

If you need to receive the cargo in these tanks equally, this function of loadicator can be used. Similarly, if you need to receive lesser cargo in one or few tanks, again this information comes handy.

If you are correcting list during loading or discharging, looking at the live rate can give you a fair indication of the effectiveness of your actions.

This rate in loadicator is calculated as an average over a particular time.

Say if the time for calculating average is set to 10 minutes, loadicator will calculate the difference in cargo quantity for last 10 minutes and average it for one hour to give you loading or discharge rate.

Loading rate display on Loadicator

In some loadicators, you can change these timings as per your requirement. If provided, you must take advantage of this function. Here is how?

If you are looking for average loading rate for last say one hour or two hours, you should set the time for one or two hours.

But if you want the current loading rate, the time should be set to 5 to 10  minutes. You would ask why 5 to 10 minutes and why not 1 minute or 1 hour?

If you set the time too less, any small fluctuation will give you wrong loading rate. Also, your loading rate will fluctuate all the time.

If you set the time too high, you will get the average rate for that time but that might not be the present rate. For example, if you have set the time to 1 Hour, and you stopped the cargo for 10 minutes. You would still get a rate averaged for last 1 hour which will not be your present rate.

2. Calculating constants with loadicator

Have you ever heard someone say, “drafts on this loadicator shows 10 cms less on aft and 20 cms more on forward”? I am sure you must have.

These may sometimes be fixed errors, but many times these errors are variable with different loading conditions. The only solution to it is to accurately enter constants in loadicator.

Accurate constants don’t only means accurate weights but also the longitudinal (LCG) and vertical (VCG) position of the constants.

Calculating the constants manually isn’t a rocket science but is still a tedious process. Some of the loadicator has this functionality inbuilt.

Here is how constants in loadicator are calculated.

First, you need to enter all known weights such as cargo, bunkers, ballast, lube oil, fresh water etc in the loadicator. Make the constants zero in the loadicator.

Then go to constants calculation section of the lodicator and enter actual drafts ( six drafts, FWD port & stbd, Aft port & stbd and midship Port & stbd) as accurately as possible.

These drafts need to be visual drafts. If you cannot visually check six drafts, it is important to check at least three drafts on one side and midship draft on the other side. Ensure list is absolutely zero and enter the other drafts accordingly.

Next enter the seawater density. You need to physically measure the density of the dock water by collecting the water sample. This is very important.  If you are conversant with the draft survey calculations you know how a slight change in density can offset the value of your constants by a larger margin.

While taking the sample of dock water, you should take the sample from mid of the seawater depth.

After entering all the values, click on calculate constants, and whoop. Loadicator calculates weight as well as location (LCG and VCG) of constants you should enter in the loadicator.

No more errors in the loadicator drafts. What you get on loadicator is what you will have in actual.

3. Shifting weights to get desired trim, list or draft

This function of Loadicator would be useful if we need following

  1. If we need to reduce/increase trim from present condition
  2. If we need to bring the ship to upright condition by shifting cargo or ballast
  3. If we need to reduce aft draft to certain level

As you know these are very common situations chief officer & Master find themselves in. And then we shift the weights arbitrarily to bring the ship to the desired condition.

But most of the loadicators have this function where you can set the desired condition (Like list to be zero or trim to be 1.5 m or both and choose the tanks from where the weights can be adjusted. Rest will be done by the loadicator. It will give you the final weights these tanks should have to bring the ship to the desirable condition.

For example, like on this loadicator, you need to go to “Trim/heeling adjustment” from the main menu

Trim & list adjustment on Loadicator

You can set the desired trim or list and choose the tanks which you want to switch weights. After choosing all this, you click on calculate

Trim & list adjustment on Loadicator

It will calculate the weight to transfer and will give you before/after summary of these tanks to get your desired results.

Trim & list adjustment on Loadicator results

4. Replacing ullage tables with Loadicator

Did you know with some loadicators, you don’t need to look at those ullage tables anymore ? You just enter the ullage of a particular tank in the loadicator and it will give you volume that will match with your ullage table.

While all loadicators can give volumes for ullages, but not all matches with the ullage tables. The reason can be any of the following

1) Some loadicators do not correct the ullage for the trim and list. These loadicators give the volume at zero trim and zero list. If the ship has trim during final calculation, you have to use ullage tables for volumes.

There are very few loadicators which can correct the volumes for trim and list. But there are many ships where there is no trim & list correction to the volume or ullage.

These are the ships which have the ullage port located at the center of the tank.

Effect of trim on ullage

For example, see the image above. As you can see if the ullage port is located at the center of the tank, there is no change in the ullage with a change in trim. On these ships, you can directly take the ullage from the loadicator.

Even if your loadicator doesn’t correct the ullages for trim and list to give volume, it is still possible that volumes from loadicator and ullage table match. This is when in ullage tables, trim correction is applied on the ullage and not on the volume.

Ullage table data

For example, if we look at ullage table in the image above, trim correction is applied to the volumes. So say for 4-meter ullage with 1-meter stern trim, ullage table will have the volume 2350.1 m3. But loadicator will show the volume as 2350.6 m3. So in this example, you cannot take volumes from loadicator for the final calculations.

2) The difference in volumes for same ullage in loadicator and ullage table can also be because of different reference point.The loadicator and ullage tables may be based upon different reference points for measurement.

Refrerence height for Ullage measurement

For example, see the image above. You will usually find this kind of image on the front few pages of your ullage table.

The image is from actual ullage table of a ship. And as you can see the reference for reading ullage in this ullage tables is the MMC (or UTI) read out point. But your loadicator might be measuring the ullage from either the tank top (height B) or from vapor lock (height B+H).

If that is the case, you cannot take volume from the loadicator for the ullages taken by UTI or MMC.

5. Wedge calculation

Wedge calculation is done to calculate the volume of the cargo when cargo does not extend to the entire surface of the tank.

Wedge Calculation

There is a considerable amount of calculation to calculate the volume by wedge formula. But imagine if this can be automatically calculated by loadicator.

Many loadicator especially on crude oil tankers can calculate the volume by wedge formula.

Wedge formula calculation by loadicator

For example, see the image of a loadicator screen. In this, you just need to enter the variables and it will give you the volume of each tank calculated by the wedge formula.

You can even get the wedge calculation sheet which you can save or print.

Wedge calculation report

Conclusion

Loadicator has become an important instrument onboard. Gone are the days of manually calculating compliance data related to cargo operation.

But most of the loadicators are designed to provide many functions, which are not otherwise required as per legislations. Knowing and using these functions can ease the life during cargo operations to a certain extent.

There are hundreds of approved makers for loading computer software. Each of these offers something unique apart from the basic functions. Knowledge of these add ons and using these can really ease life during cargo operations to a certain extent.

Do you know any other add on functions that your loading computer offer?

Related Blogs

Follow us Today on
our social network

Capt Rajeev Jassal

About Capt Rajeev Jassal

Capt. Rajeev Jassal has sailed for over 24 years mainly on crude oil, product and chemical tankers. He holds MBA in shipping & Logistics degree from London. He has done extensive research on quantitatively measuring Safety culture onboard and safety climate ashore which he believes is the most important element for safer shipping.

Search Blog

46 Comments

concerned sailor
concerned sailor
8 years before

Capt Rajeev, very nicely written article. most officers/crew on ship are well aware of their jobs. their professional competency is usually good. where we fail is in utilizing the most important asset given to us, which is the crew. man management & soft skills are the most important quality a management level officer has to have. we are all aware that many indian seafarers do not want to sail with an indian master for reasons as flimsy as "poor food" or "too much interference in work" etc etc. we need to do something to to change our image. master sometimes is unable to handle his subordinates and he threatens them by spoiling their appraisal etc. we need to have a broader outlook on things while handling people on ship. would end by requesting to pls post an article on man management successfully at sea! Best regards.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

During our sailing career, we get to sail with different kind of people. We should make it a point to only draw positives from everyone. And sure there is something positive in everyone. Thanks for suggesting a topic for writing..

A khan
A khan
7 years before

Thx lot sir...could you tell sir..testing procedure of loadicator. Regards

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

Please go to this link. http://www.myseatime.com/blog/detail/compliance-with-loadicator-testing-and-its-records I hope this is what you are looking for. If you have any other question please let me know.

Rahul Dutt
Rahul Dutt
7 years before

Good Day Sir, I am appearing fr mates orals if u can please share your knowledge on how to calculate SF and BM if the loadicator fails and on criteria are limits of SF and BM based. Thanking yoy in advance

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

There is no practical way that we can calculate SF & BM onboard ships. We learn to calculate SF & BM for a box shaped vessel to get an understanding of how SF and BM are calculated. But the manual calculation of SF & BM for an actual vessel is very very difficult if not impossible. We need a software (Loadicator) to calculate that.

Vijay Pandey
Vijay Pandey
7 years before

Dear sir, This article is more about loadicator tricks which are applicable to tankers, kindly advise the tricks which are applicable to bulk carriers.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

I will try to post that Vijay but I need to either get my hands on bulk carrier loadicator or find somebody to write for bulk carrier which we are trying..

ARVIND
ARVIND
7 years before

Rajeev sir..good day..Had querry regarding loading of heavy lift ..i understand this question is different from Tanker part..Can i load a heavy lift of 200tons on area of 1x2 m2 on surface of load density 100 tons..means same as load density..if yes then why/if no then why?kindly explain..

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

Hello Arvind, I assume load density is 100 T/m2. This means that in 1 m2 area it is allowed to load 100 tons. Based on that on 2m2 area we can load 200 tons of cargo provided that weight of the heavy lift is evenly distributed and the base of the heavy lift is of 2m2. This means that we can load 200 T of box shaped weight with surface area of 2m2. When we calculate the area we take the surface area of the weight and not the surface area of the available space.

Arvind
Arvind
7 years before

Rajeev sir..thanx again..do we consider the stress for lashing the heavy weight on tanktop which might exceed more than 100t/m2..if we tighten the lashing ..

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

Yes..we may have to consider that for theoretical purposes. For practical purposes I am not sure if it is taken into consideration because when we say load density 100 T/m2, it does not mean that at 101 T, the tank top will break. There are considerable amount of safety factors taken into account while declaring load density. These safety factors will take care of these small variation.

Lee
Lee
7 years before

Sir, thank you for thr blog its very informative. Please if you can write topic of how chief mates update there loadicator at sea. Where did the get there figures like fuels consumed and others and how they get arrival conditions. I have sailed with mates where when sailing from ports can provide sailing condition and arrival condition of next port which is 2 weeks voyage thank very much

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

Lee, the figures for fuel consumed for calculating the arrival condition of future ports are estimates which chief mate gets either from the chief engineer or he can calculate basis number of days and fuel consumed per day..

Gaurav bahuguna
Gaurav bahuguna
7 years before

Good day sir ,I am appearing for my 2nd mate orals and I wanted to know how to correct the angle of heel if the ship is at sea and what are the stresses the ship undergo. Thanks

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

The best way to correct heel is by ballasting. But if the vessel is loaded to the maximum and ballasting is not an option then we can consume the bunkers in a way to correct the list. Or we can also transfer the bunkers.

MRG
MRG
7 years before

Rajeev is correct. Vessels have Stability documents/loading manual that would give the method and values for manual calculations. This is involved and very interesting. There are worked example(s), and you can master this by calculating say 3 times. It requires a bit of focus and "can do" attitude. For oral examination you may refer to the documents above, and respond as above. If possible examine a loading manual. Cheers, MRG from Vancouver.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

Thanks MRG for contributing your views..

Lee
Lee
7 years before

Sir, please can you write about loadicator longitudinal strength curve. SF and BM in loadicator. What to look at and what those curves mean and what to avoid. Thank you very much for your time.

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

At any time during loading, unloading and voyage the actual SF and BM should be less than 100% of the allowed limit.

sharath prasad
sharath prasad
7 years before

hello sir. can you please explain to me if and why the loadicator has maximum permissible stress limits in harbour and at sea and also why the sea going condition has more strict requirements than the harbour condition ?

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

That is because in harbour there are minimum external forces acting on the ship. Where as at sea the ship may be subjected to extreme wx conditions..

PAWAN
PAWAN
7 years before

IN LOADICATGOR what all parameter changes with change of density ?

Suraj
Suraj
7 years before

sir why loadicator has harbour as well as sea condition.?

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
7 years before

As in harbour condition, there are minimum external forces acting on the ship, ship is allowed to have more stresses while in harbour (for example during intermediate stages of cargo operation).

nandkishore gitte
nandkishore gitte
6 years before

Nice and in detail article .....help full for engineers to who are preparing for there COC

Rajeev Jassal
Rajeev Jassal
6 years before

Thanks Nand Kishore..

Anthony
Anthony
6 years before

Good day Sir, Iam using MECCA loadcom onboard, but the function for calculating constants doesnot show . could you kindly elaborate how to calculate the constants on Mecca loadicator, as you have also shown screen shots of Mecca in your blog.

Siddharth Gaur
Siddharth Gaur
6 years before

Hi Sir can you please tell what is the affect of trim on a gz curve .

Kynan Noronha
Kynan Noronha
6 years before

Good Day Capt Rajeev Just a small query .Wanted to know what is the general allowed limit for SF & BM for tankers.And from which document can we find this mentioned limit . Thank You

aeplglobe
aeplglobe
5 years before

Thanks for sharing it href=” https://www.aeplglobe.com /safety-relief-valves/”Leading LPG Vaporizer Manufacturers in India”

najma qureshi
najma qureshi
5 years before

Great content. I would like to add on that it all depends on the calculation that is done for an efficient work system. Thanks for sharing.

VIKRAMJIT SINGH
VIKRAMJIT SINGH
5 years before

Dear Sir, Please explain the difference between sea and harbour conditions of loadicator.

Sajjad Modak
Sajjad Modak
5 years before

Thanks Sir for the important topics you are covering in your blog. It take lot of patience & hardwork indeed. Your blog is an digest for new comers & for those who are already in sea service for years. As mentioned in comment above by concerned sailor , we readers would be thankful to have your views on mentioned topic. Also how MLC helps an seafarer when ashore i.e employer refusing to hire an seafarer for not signing appraisal report by Master etc Thanks & Regards S M Modak

Giorgi Giorgi
Giorgi Giorgi
5 years before

Capt Rajeev, thanks for very nicely written article. Can you please write article regarding ASTM PM Table including use of table 6A ,6B , 54A ,54B , 24A , 24B and case when we need to use function USER DEFINE

Antriksh Walia
Antriksh Walia
4 years before

Dear Sir, I'm working on coastal cargo vessels less than 100m length without a lodicator how can I calculate SF and BM stresses on ship during various loading conditions. Kindly advise...

Vivek Marol
Vivek Marol
4 years before

Sir, ....Sea Condition....what's the reference value for this condition for a particular ship in its loadicatir

an
an
4 years before

How to load a tanker if loadicator stopped working ??

Ahmed Alwan
Ahmed Alwan
4 years before

Dear Sir, Appreciate if you help me to understand fully the difference between Sea and Harbor conditions and during anchorage for example winch condition better to use? for LNG gas tankers, when we will get the maximum bending moment BM ? in which stage of loading? and the location of the BM? During loading , is the ship hogging or sagging and why?

AMAR ANAND
AMAR ANAND
3 years before

Amazing article sir....

Alok Kumar
Alok Kumar
3 years before

Sir how much maximum SF, BM and TM is allowed. Officially. Which will not be any problem with any authority.

Phan Hung Tan
Phan Hung Tan
2 years before

Dear Capt,can you help for test loading condition of the loadicator system by quarterly by ship staff

Hieu Le
Hieu Le
2 years before

https://www.myseatime.com/blog/detail/compliance-with-loadicator-testing-and-its-records. you refer this link

Pratik
Pratik
2 years before

Thanks for the above info. Sir, Can you please help me out in finding what is the difference in calculation procedure of SF & BM ( what parameters are changed) while in Sea- going conditions & while in Harbour condition ?

joham william
joham william
2 years before

FIX THESE 6 COMMON COMPUTER PROBLEMS EFFICIENTLY

Anish
Anish
1 year before

Can you please post how to do damage stability calculations on a Loadicator?

Leave Comment