In this article we want to pay some attention to tweendeck shifting operations. Recently we have heard some complaints from our clients that we would waste expensive stevedore shifts because we take too much time for pontoon shifting operations and keep stevedores idle. This complain we can hardly accept as our Captains are professional in safeguarding effective turnarounds in the ports.
However please be aware that stevedore companies some-times deliberately try to delay early completion of cargo ops so they can bill their clients (who at the same time are our clients) extra shifts and expenses for loading. Stevedore companies then explain delays in cargo operations with long pontoon shifting procedures from the vessel and try to blame us for the delays and extra costs.
In case you are aware that stevedores deliberately do not fin-ish loading a compartment before breaks so the crew cannot close hatches or tweendecks during lunch time or you have the feeling they delay cargo ops, please push the foremen and also inform your operators asap!
We have to make sure our tweendeck operations are planned in a way that will MINIMIZE STEVEDORES IDLE TIME. Please send your planned loading procedure (just put numbers on the stowage plan) early to the agent in port so the foremen will prepare his loading ops ashore according to YOUR plan.
Check if you may do shifting and loading ops partly in parallel.
Ensure your deck crew has a very clear picture of planned tweendeck operations. You may want to prepare a template of pontoon shifting procedures for your deck crew as shown on next page. How would you do shifting operations for above cargo to minimize stevedores idling time?
