Phenol is one of the solidify cargoes which special precautions are required when vessel transports the cargo. The Phenol is a extremely toxic & corrosive chemical.

The solution of Phenol causes severe chemical burns to the intact skin, which are usually painless. It appears as white wrinkled "dead skin". In case of eye contact, permanent damage to the eye may occur. In case of inhalation, there will be a burning sensation of the mouth and throat. The patient can also develop mental agitation, confusion, heart failure and circulatory collapse.

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The lack of care and attention against the handling of Phenol may be involved in accidents which can be damaged to crew, cargo or structures.

Following are some basic safety procedure for marine transportation Phenol in bulk :

Before Loading

1. To test drain lines, valves, flange parts, pipe lines of cargo tank to be loaded if there is any leakage. You have to bear in mind that once the cargo started loading, it cannot stop pumping for repairing any leakage through the loading because the cargo will be solidified immediately in pipe line.



2. To test heating coil in cargo tank without fail. Leaking of heating coil during voyage with cargo heating can be damaged to cargo which easily reacted with water and discoloured to red.



3. To check emergency showers are in good condition so that it can be used in emergency case, and fresh water with bucket is to provide near manifold when connecting or disconnecting cargo hose and near cargo tank when sampling from cargo tank.



4. Safety equipment such as gas masks, shield masks, goggles, rubber gloves, rubber boots, and chemical suits should be provided near manifold to ready for immediate use.



5. The crew engaging in cargo operation has to put the safety equipment



6. Flange part connected with shore line on manifold is to be covered with rubber sheet in order to avoid cargo splashing and damaged to crew.

During loading

• If the cargo will be loaded to several cargo tanks, it is recommended to make a plan so that the cargo can be loaded into several cargo tanks simultaneously and completed loading at the almost same time in order to avoid cargo solidifying in line
• Every tank has to be monitored through the loading and confirmed if the cargo is loading properly into the cargo tank
• After loading, all concerned lines should be drained well

During voyage

• The melting point of Phenol(99.9%) is 40.9°C and it become discoloration at 60 °C or more. It is requested to keep 55°C to 58°C in temperature during voyage.
• During cargo heating, Steam drain and cascade tank in engine room have to check periodically. It may be very difficult to find out leakage of Phenol by colour from drain water because Phenol is completely soluble in water but it can be found out by toxic smell.
• If you fail to find out the leakage at initial step, Steam lines on deck as well as the boiler system in engine room may be damaged by corrosiveness of Phenol liquid
• Before arrival unloading port, to make sure pump-running test under closed condition of delivery valve, and cleanness of the line from delivery valve to both manifolds by air. If the cargo pump and/or the pipe line were clogged, don't inject deck steam into cargo tank or pipe line directly. The dies-clogging work for cargo pump and line should be done by indirect method.

During unloading

• Don't fill up full-ballast into concerned ballast tank until completion of unloading.
• As soon as possible after unloading and getting the certificate of tank dry from cargo surveyor, steam has to be blown into cargo tank through both ends of the manifold for avoiding Phenol remaining in the line.

Tank cleaning

• Solubility in water is depend on temperature i.e. 6.7% at 16°C and 100% at 66°C. therefore it is preferable to use hot sea water of more than 70°C for tank cleaning
• During tank cleaning, to wash vent line with abundant water
• Don't spill all drains of tank cleaning water on deck or hull side for avoiding coating damages.
• After completion tank cleaning and confirmed gas free, to inspect tank condition if there are any pitting corrosions and leakage of heating coil, and cofferdam of cargo pump
• Tank cleaning procedure :
  Hot sea water Butterworth(not less than 70°C) : 3 hours
  FW washing
  Steaming : 2 hours

Recommendations for chemical tankers with respect to carriage of Phenol

1. Ensure the suitability of the vessel for carrying such products with respect to its stowage restrictions and operations on the whole.
2. Ensuring crew is well informed and trained to handle such cargoes.
3. Ensuring a blend of experienced officer and crew on board so as to Properly train the inexperienced staff for their future endeavours With specific cargo operations
4. Proper check/pressure testing of lines and valves prior loading.
5. To use common line for phenol handling is not preferred.
6. To use deck heaters with single valve segregation towards common line is not sufficient as a barrier.

Sampling precautions : Open sampling should never be encouraged

Closed Sampling system should be used at all times. Phenol is extremely dangerous when comes into contact with the eyes or skin and can be fatal. Extreme precaution to be taken when opening any access to tanks having phenol. All personnel engaged in Phenol operation must wear full protection clothing at all times.

Gas Tight Suit and self-contained breathing apparatus to be worn by personnel engaged in sampling. Chemical splash suit should never be used for this purpose.

Risk Assessment to be prepared to identify and mitigate all associated risk involved. Risk control measures to be taken and same to be discussed before commencement of such operation.Everyone on board should be thoroughly familiar with handling of Phenol and precaution required for carriage.


Remarks: Phenol is made of Benzene & Cumene which have a strong washing ability itself by its activity and corrosiveness. Therefore it is no effect to use detergent in order to remove smell of Phenol. To overcome strong smell, it is recommended to use hot water not less than 70C and steaming.

Good practices

High melting point cargoes such as Phenol, Palm fatty acid distillates lauric and Stearic acid has inherent property to form lumps of cargo. It is therefore recommended to turn the cargo pumps at regular intervals during the voyage and prior to discharge in order to avoid any last minute surprises. All the lines to be then blown back to the cargo tanks.

The danger of frozen valves, pressure/vacuum in the tanks to be monitored during loading, voyage and discharge. In the event if any of the pumps are found frozen, deployment of portable Framo pump should not be considered without a proper Risk assessment and office permission.


Phenol handling more safety guide

Hazards of Phenol - safe handling of Phenol on chemical tankers.
Phenol is derived from the basic raw materials of benzene and propylene. Phenol is typically a solid at room temperature as it solidifies at 41°C (106 °F). Plywood, window glazing, DVDs, computers, automotive parts and LCD/LED TVs are some of the many items that rely on this important raw material. .....

Marine transportation of Phenol and more safety guideline
The lack of care and attention against the handling of Phenol may be involved in accidents which can be damaged to crew, cargo or structures. .....

handling Phenol safety precautions
PHENOL is carried at sea in a generally pure state. As a result, it has a high freezing point of approximately 40~ 41deg C. PHENOL is also extremely dangerous when it comes into contact with the eyes or skin and can be fatal. .....



We have summarized below some of the special chemical cargoes frequently carried onboard chemical tankers

Toxicology and associated hazards

Handling benzene & methanol safety precautions

Handling carcinogens requirements for certain chemical cargoes

Handling ACRYLONITRILE safety precautions

handling ISOCYANATES safety precautions

handling Sulfuric acid safety precautions

Handling benzene & methanol safety precautions

Requirements of various grade chemical cargo heating

Marine transportation of Phenol and more safety guideline

Preparation for loading Phenol, Product characteristics ,Topping Off, Line Blowing,Sampling, Venting, Heating & Discharging guideline

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