Tanker Cargo Operations Officer

Primary qualification

• Certificate of proficiency in ADVANCED training by ship type: A-V/1-1-2 (oil), A-V/1-1-3 (chemical) or A-V/1-2-2 (liquefied gas tankers).
• Base: STCW II/1 or III/1 officer certificate plus the corresponding basic tanker training (V/1-1.1 or V/1-2.1).
• Spain: DGMM specialty certificates for oil, chemical or gas tankers, advanced level (Order FOM/2296/2002 — indicative, verify the order in force).

Basic STCW

• A-VI/1 Basic Training in Maritime Safety
• A-VI/3 Advanced firefighting (second position)

Specific courses

• ISGOTT ship/shore safety checklist and work permits
• Crude oil washing (COW) and inerting on oil tankers
• Gauging, cargo calculation and VEF; sampling and compatibilities on chemical tankers
• Cargo-handling simulator where the administration accepts it toward sea service

Indicative experience

Regulation V/1-1 and V/1-2: for the advanced level, at least 3 months' approved seagoing service on the ship type, or at least 1 month of approved onboard supernumerary training including a minimum of 3 loading and 3 discharge operations (recorded in a training book).

Observations

The advanced certificate covers immediate cargo responsibility; the basic one only assigned duties. Five-yearly revalidation by sea service or course. Route: rating/officer with basic → recorded cargo voyages → ship-type advanced → cargo officer / future tanker chief mate.

Typical watches

• Guards and loading/unloading operations according to the terminal plan

Key responsibilities

• Plan and execute loading/unloading operations on oil, chemical and gas tankers.
• Supervise tank cleaning, cargo care during travel and operational safety.
• Apply emergency procedures by type of dangerous cargo.

Operational scope

• Liquid cargo and liquefied gas terminals
• Dangerous cargo
• High risk operations