Chemical Tanker Charter
Chemical tankers carry liquid chemicals in tanks that are coated or made of stainless steel, so the tank type must suit the cargo.
What they carry
Methanol, acids, caustic soda, solvents, aromatics and many other liquid chemicals, often in several separate parcels on the same ship.
Why the details matter
Each chemical has to be carried in a suitable tank. Ship operators need the exact name of the cargo, the quantity, whether it is a full or a part cargo, and any special needs such as heating or cleanliness of the tanks.
How it is chartered
Usually a voyage charter for a parcel or a full cargo, or a time charter for a period. For ships that take both chemicals and clean oil products see chemical/oil products tankers.
How a chemical tanker is built
A chemical tanker has many separate tanks, each with its own pump and pipes, so that several different cargoes can travel at the same time without touching each other. The tanks are made of stainless steel or are coated with a special lining that resists the chemical. The rules of the International Maritime Organization group chemicals by hazard, and each ship is approved for the products it may carry.
Parcels, compatibility and cleaning
Chemical cargoes often travel as parcels of a few hundred to a few thousand tonnes. The ship operator checks that the cargo is allowed in the tank, that it does not react with the cargo next to it and that the tank is clean enough for it. The last cargoes carried in each tank matter, and a tank may need cleaning and a test before the next loading. Give the product name, the grade and the quantity in your request.
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