ISGOTT & SIGTTO for Oil & Gas Terminal Operations Training

Introduction

The ISGOTT & SIGTTO Requirements for Tanker/Oil & Gas Terminal Safe Operations Training Course offers a structured and comprehensive understanding of the international standards governing the safe handling, storage, and transfer of hydrocarbon cargoes. As global maritime trade continues to expand, ensuring consistent compliance with ISGOTT, SIGTTO, SOLAS, and MARPOL requirements has become essential for terminal operators, tanker personnel, and marine professionals. This training course consolidates the detailed guidance issued by major regulatory bodies—including IMO, OCIMF, ICS, and IAPH—to provide participants with clear, practical insight into the safety expectations required for tanker and gas carrier operations. Through an in-depth exploration of tanker–terminal interfaces, cargo planning, hazard identification, emergency readiness, and security procedures, participants will learn how international frameworks shape operational decision-making. The course highlights the essential knowledge required to manage hydrocarbon cargo operations in both liquid and gas states, emphasizing the importance of risk assessment, safe transfer procedures, and structured management systems. It also enables participants to understand the operational barriers associated with tanker and terminal interactions, strengthening their ability to support safe, efficient, and compliant operations. By combining theoretical guidance, real-world considerations, and industry-standard practices, this training course ensures participants gain the confidence and competency to uphold the highest safety and performance expectations across marine terminal and tanker environments.

Objectives

By the end of the ISGOTT & SIGTTO Requirements for Tanker/Oil & Gas Terminal Safe Operations Training Course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the functions and roles of relevant international maritime organizations, including IMO, OCIMF, MTCOT, ICS, and IAPH.
• Gain a clear overview of liquid bulk cargo handling, including the properties of liquefied gases and gas principles.
• Become familiar with storage operations, tank types, and boil-off gas recovery systems.
• Identify flammability hazards and recognize the precautions required when handling hydrocarbon cargoes at both tankers and terminals.
• Improve tanker–terminal liaison by understanding guidelines, checklists, and safe handling procedures.
• Strengthen knowledge of enclosed space entry, gas carrier operations, packaged cargo handling, and emergency procedures.
• Understand Safety Management Systems (SMS), permits to work, and risk assessment methodologies.
• Recognize marine terminal administration needs and the critical importance of the tanker–terminal interface.
• Understand maritime security requirements, including the ISPS Code.

Training Methodology

This ISGOTT & SIGTTO Requirements for Tanker/Oil & Gas Terminal Safe Operations Training Course is delivered through an engaging and participatory learning environment that supports technical comprehension and practical application. The training incorporates expert-led presentations, structured discussions, and scenario-based conversations to help reinforce key concepts. Participants benefit from comprehensive course materials, detailed session guides, visual presentations, and real-world examples that deepen understanding of tanker–terminal interfaces, safety protocols, and regulatory obligations. Active dialogue between delegates and the trainer encourages knowledge sharing, problem-solving, and the exchange of best practices from diverse operational backgrounds. This approach ensures participants retain critical information and return to their roles better equipped to enhance operational safety and compliance within their organizations.

Who Should Attend?

This training course is intended for marine terminal staff, marine operation staff, oil movement personnel, custody measurement people, metering engineers and process engineers who have limited direct understanding of Liquid Bulk handling operations and as a base workshop for trainees with little or no experience of Liquid Bulk handling operations. The attendees can be but not limited to:

• Marine Terminal Facility Managers and Coordinators
• Terminal Superintendents, Supervisors and Engineers
• Safety and Environmental Managers, Engineers and Officers
• Oil & Gas Captains, Officers and Chief Engineers
• Ship Inspectors
• Spill Management Team Members
• Oil & Liquefied Gas Transfer Supervisors
• Marine Shipping Coordinators

Course Outline

Day 1: Introduction to the Guidance & Requirements Of The International Organizations, ISGOTT & SIGTTO

• IMO
• SOLAS & MARPOL Conventions Requirements
• The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
• The Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF)
• The International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH)
• Marine Terminal Competence and Training Guide (MTCOT)
• ISGOTT in its latest version (Version 6)
• SIGTTO
• SIRE Inspection
• IGC Code
• ISPS Code

Day 2: ISGOTT Part 1 General Information (Chapter 1 – 8)

Basic Properties and Hazards of Petroleum

• Flammability
• LEL and UEL 
• Characteristics of hydrocarbon and concept of Toxicity

Gas Evolution and Measurement

• Gas measurement & Sampling
• Minimising Hazards from Vented Gas
• Fixed & Portable hydrocarbon gas detection systems
• The hazards associated with handling, storing and carrying residual fuel oils

Static Electricity

• Principles of electrostatics
• General precautions against electrostatic hazards
• Other possible sources of electrostatic hazards

Managing Hazards and Risks for Ship and Terminal

• Management system
• Risk management
• Stop Work Authority Lock-out/Tag-out
• Control of hazardous energy
• Personal safety
• Preventing fire and explosion Control of potential ignition sources
• Electrical equipment and installations in hazardous areas

Fire Protection

• Theory of firefighting
• Types of fire and appropriate extinguishing agents
• Fixed & Portable fire extinguishers 
• International shore fire connection
• Protective clothing
• Automatic fire detection systems

Security

• Security Threat and risk assessment
• Security plans
• Responsibilities under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code

Human Factor

Risk assessment Procedures Leadership

• Stop work Authority 
• Manning Level
• Training, Experience & Competence

ISGOTT Part 2 Tanker Information (Chapter 9 – 14)

Management of Safety and Emergencies

• The International Safety Management (ISM) Code
• Work planning and permit to work systems
• Management of contractors
• Managing Simultaneous Operations

Enclosed Spaces

• Enclosed space entry safety Management & Authorization
• Identifying enclosed spaces
• The hazards of enclosed space atmospheres
• General requirements & precautions
• Work in enclosed spaces
• Rescue and evacuation from enclosed spaces
• Respiratory Protective Equipment

Shipboard Systems

• Loading and discharging arrangements
• Fixed Inert Gas systems
• Venting systems
• Cargo and ballast systems

Shipboard Operations

• Cargo operations
• Tank cleaning
• Gas freeing
• Crude Oil Washing
• Ballast operations
• Cargo measurement, ullaging, dipping and sampling

Day 3: ISGOTT Part 3 Marine Terminal Information (Chapter 15 – 20)

Marine Terminal Administration

• Marine Terminal Information System
• Documentation

Marine Terminal Operations

• Limiting conditions for operations
• Electrical storms
• Double banking
• Tanker/terminal access
• Over the tide cargo operations
• Operations where the tanker is not always afloat
• Generation of pressure surges in pipelines
• Reduction of pressure surge hazard
• Pigging

Marine Terminal Systems and Equipment

• Electrical equipment
• Lifting equipment
• Lighting
• Tanker/terminal electrical isolation
• Earthing and bonding practice in the terminal

Cargo Transfer Equipment

• Marine Loading Arms
• Cargo hoses
• Vapour Emission Control Systems
• Cargo transfer drainage and containment
• Emergency Shutdown systems

Marine Terminal Fire Protection

• Marine terminal fire protection
• Alarm and signaling systems
• Detection and alarm systems at terminals
• Firefighting equipment
• Access for firefighting services

Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation

• Overview
• Hierarchy of emergency scenarios
• Terminal emergency plan (components and procedures)
• Spill response plan
• Emergency evacuation and personnel escape routes
• Training for emergencies and emergency exercises
• Emergency removal of tanker from berth

ISGOTT Part 4 Ship/Shore (Tanker/Terminal) Interface (Chapter 21 – 25)

Communications

• Procedures and precautions
• Pre-arrival exchange of information
• Pre-berthing exchange of information
• Pre-transfer conference
• Agreed loading / discharge plan
• Agreement to carry out repairs

Mooring and Berthing

• Mooring safety
• Security of moorings
• Preparations for arrival
• Berthing at jetty berths
• Berthing at buoy moorings

Tanker and Terminal Precautions for Cargo Operations

• External openings in superstructures
• Central air conditioning and ventilation systems
• Openings in cargo tanks
• Inspecting a tanker’s cargo tanks before loading
• Marine cargo inspectors
• Spills and leaks
• Firefighting while the ship is alongside a terminal
• Firefighting while in proximity to other ships
• Notices
• Manning requirements
• Control of vehicles and other equipment 
• Helicopter operations

Bunkering Operation

• Bunkering Safety Checklist

The Ship/Shore Safety Checklist

• Composition of the Ship/Shore Safety Checklist
• Example safety letter
• Instructions for completing the Ship/Shore
• Ship/Shore Safety Checklist (SSSCL)

Day 4: SIGTTO Gas Carrier / Terminal Information (Chapter 1 – 5)

Introduction to liquified Gases

• LNG
• LPG
• Safe jetty designs & Operation

Properties of Liquefied Gases

• Chemical properties
• Physical properties
• Principles of refrigeration
• Inert gas and nitrogen
• Hydrate formation
• Spillage of liquefied gas
• Liquid and vapour densities
• Flammability

Principles of Gas Carrier Design

• The gas carrier codes
• Cargo containment systems
• Gas carrier types & layout
• Surveys and certification

The Ship — Equipment and Instrumentation

• Cargo pipelines and valves
• Cargo pumps, heaters & vaporisers
• Reliquefication plants and boil-off control
• Cargo compressors and associated equipment
• Inert gas and nitrogen systems
• Electrical equipment in gas dangerous spaces
• Temperature, Pressure & Level Monitoring Instrumentation 
• Custody transfer systems

The Terminal — Equipment and Instrumentation

• Cargo transfer systems
• Shore storage / containment systems
• Pumps, compressors and heat exchangers
• Temperature, Pressure & Level Monitoring Instrumentation 
• Fire-fighting Equipment Inspection, maintenance and training

Day 5: SIGTTO Gas Carrier / Terminal Operation & Interface (Chapter 6 – 10)

The Ship/Shore Interface

• Supervision and control
• Communications Prior Tanker arrival, Alongside the jetty & During Cargo Operation
• Ship/Shore safety check list
• Berthing and mooring
• Connection and disconnection of cargo hoses and hard arms
• Cargo handling procedures
• Linked Emergency shut-down systems
• Terminal booklet — Information and Regulation

Cargo Handling Operations

• Tank inspection
• Loading procedures
• The loaded voyage
• Operation of the reliquefication plant
• LNG boil-off as fuel
• Discharging procedures
• Ship-to-ship transfer

Cargo Measurement and Calculation

• Special practices for gas cargoes
• Density in air and density in vacuum
• LNG quantification
• Shore measurement versus ship measurement
• Corrections to Vessel Trim & List
• Ship/shore calculation procedures
• Cargo documentation

Personal Health and Safety

• Cargo hazards
• Flammability
• Toxicity
• Entry into enclosed spaces
• Personal protection

Emergency Procedures

• The principal hazards
• Liquefied gas fires & fighting procedures
• Emergency procedures
• Emergency release and emergency shutdown
• Removal of ship from berth