Liquid cargo of the month – Naphtha

Trade name/synonym name: 

Solvent naphtha; Petroleum naphtha; Light aromatic; Light distillate feedstock; Heart cut distillate oil; Steam cracked naphtha; Sweet Virgin Naphtha (SVN); Full Range Reformed Naphtha; Light Hydrotreated Naphtha 

Main properties/hazards: 

Highly flammable liquid. Hydrocarbon mixture originating from crude oil distillation. Colour varies from clear to dark yellow. Emits a strong odour, when warm. Expect flash point to be less than 0 deg C 

Depends on composition. Initial boiling point may be lower than 25 deg. C, depending on composition 

Melting point < 0 deg. C 

Viscosity @ 20°C < 50 mPa.S 

Vapour pressure @ 20°C Depends on composition.  Typical in range up to 50 - 85 kPa 

Density Depends on composition. Varies from 710 - 930 kg/m3 @ 20 deg. C 

IBC carriage requirements: 

IBC chapter N/A 

Ship Type N/A 

Tank Type N/A 

Relevant additional IBC req. N/A 

MARPOL Requirements Annex I: 

Pollution Category N/A 

Special information to be added to Shipping Document Standard information for MARPOL Annex I cargo 

Cargo tank material:  

Stainless steel Yes 

Epoxy Yes - but check 

Zinc Yes 

Stowage: 

Heat adjacent Ambient 

Stow adjacent to fuel oil tanks Yes 

Carriage requirements: 

Heating during voyage No 

Heating during unloading No 

Tanks inerted or padded Yes, as required by SOLAS II-2 Reg. 4  5.5 

Prewash required? No prewash required 

Tank cleaning: 

Follow tank cleaning safety instructions for petroleum from ISGOTT chapter 11.3 (for inert tanks or for non-inert tanks respectively) 

Ambient temperature water wash, followed by 

Hot/warm temperature water wash 

Ambient temperature freshwater rinse 

Important: Always transfer tank cleaning water from Annex I cargo to slop tank for settling. Do not pump directly overboard. Do not mix tank cleaning water from Annex I cargo with tank cleaning water from Annex II cargo. 

Emergency Response: 

Fire: Use foam or water spray - not water jet 

Spillage: Eliminate sources of ignition. Collect small spills with absorbent material. Larger spills: Try to collect and transfer to spill tank or wash away with water. When in port, - inform Port Authority 

First aid: Remove victim to fresh air. Follow first aid instructions in MSDS. Consider obtaining advice from Radio Medical 

Hazards (Occupational safety etc): 

Highly flammable liquid and vapour 

Inhalation of high concentrations may cause central nervous system depression such as dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and similar narcotic symptoms 

As Naphtha may contain some percentage of aromatics - such as toluene, xylenes and benzene be - careful to obtain relevant Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the product loaded 

When Naphtha contains 0.5 % benzene or more then MSC/Circ. 1095 "REVISED MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS FOR SHIPS CARRYING LIQUIDS IN BULK CONTAINING BENZENE" is applicable. 

Precautions: 

Some qualities of Naphtha will be used in the chemical industry and may therefore be sensitive to contamination from previous cargoes. 

Naphtha and light distillate feedstocks should not be contaminated by lead and should not be carried directly after cargoes that contained lead, e.g. aviation gasoline. Cargo tank coating should be in good condition as blistered or flaking tank coating can be a source of contamination from the previous cargo 

Oxygenates (such as MTBE) can affect Naphtha processing and washing is therefore required when loading Naphtha into tanks which have previously contained unleaded gasoline cargoes. 

Heavier feedstocks can tolerate minor admixing of aviation kerosene, kerosene, solvents or lighter feedstocks. 

Remarks: 

Use: Feedstock for olefins, petrochemicals and gasoline blend streams. 

The BIMCO Liquid Cargo Database (member login needed) contains information for around 360 cargoes, all updated to the IBC Code 2021 amended requirements, but in order to ensure that the information is kept updated, we highly welcome any feedback in the form of comments, information or data regarding a specific cargo.