Offshore Service

Ship-to-Ship (STS) Operations

Safe, efficient, and fully regulation-compliant cargo transfers between vessels at sea — coordinated by our certified STS Masters and offshore safety experts.

STS Operations

Our STS Capability

West Africa's Premier STS Service Provider

Ship-to-Ship transfer operations — where cargo is transferred directly between two vessels moored alongside each other at sea — demand the highest levels of operational expertise, safety discipline, and environmental care. IMETC is the trusted name for STS operations in the Gulf of Guinea.

Our STS services cover crude oil transfers, refined petroleum products, liquefied gases, and dry bulk commodities. We serve all major STS anchorage areas in Nigerian and West African waters including the Offshore Bonny, Bonga, Escravos, and Brass anchorages.

✓Certified STS Superintendents and Masters with OCIMF endorsements
✓Full compliance with MARPOL Regulation 40-44 and OCIMF STS Guide
✓Pre-STS surveys and risk assessments for all operations
✓Provision and management of fenders, moorings, and transfer hoses
✓24/7 emergency response capability
✓Full documentation: NOE, SOPEP, Ship's Log extracts, quantity reconciliation

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Operation Lifecycle

The IMETC STS Process

Pre-Operation Planning

Ship compatibility assessment, weather window evaluation, anchorage selection, and regulatory notification to NIMASA and coastal state authorities.

Pre-STS Survey

Joint inspection of both vessels by our STS Superintendent — mooring arrangements, fender rigging, hose connections, emergency equipment check.

Approach & Mooring

Pilotage of the transfer vessel, fendering deployment, line handling, and secure mooring alongside the receiving vessel.

Transfer Operations

Connection of cargo hoses, commencement and monitoring of transfer under continuous Superintendent oversight, with quantity measurement.

Quantity Reconciliation

Ullage surveys, temperature and density measurement, and completion of agreed quantity certificates signed by both Masters.

Completion & Reporting

Hose disconnection, vessel separation, post-STS report, SOPEP close-out, and submission of full operational records.

Safety First

Our STS Safety Framework

OCIMF Compliance

All operations follow the Oil Companies International Marine Forum STS Operations guide — the gold standard for offshore cargo transfer safety.

Weather Risk Management

Continuous weather monitoring throughout operations, with clearly defined go/no-go criteria for swell height, wind speed, and current conditions.

Emergency Response

Dedicated spill response equipment on standby, direct communication with OSRL, and coordination with Nigerian Coast Guard for emergency procedures.

ISPS Security

All STS operations in Nigerian waters comply with ISPS Code requirements. We coordinate with vessel security officers and port facility security officers.