This information paper gives technical guidance to regional barge companies in South and Central America (SCA) on how to build or convert their inland barges for cargo operations under closed conditions, to conform to international standards and industry guidance. OCIMF publications and industry good practice form the basis of this guidance, which addresses the procedures and equipment needed to comply with this safety precaution during cargo operations at terminals or between two barges.
Open conditions are those in which ballasting, cargo operations are carried out with ullage and sighting ports open. In the SCA region, around 70% of barges inspected under OCIMFʼs BIRE inspection programmes are currently only equipped to operate under open loading conditions, potentially exposing personnel working on or near the tank-barge to vapours associated with the cargo. Open loading also raises the risk of fire or explosion during port calls when exiting tank vapours mix with the surrounding air, increasing the risk of developing a combustible atmosphere. Entering the flammable range, the vapours can ignite when exposed to an ignition source. This becomes a dangerous situation if equipment in the area is not properly grounded and maintained to ensure intrinsic safety.
Closed cargo operations take place without opening ullage or sighting ports, which lowers the safety risks outlined above.
Closed cargo operations can also lessen the environmental impact of loading and discharging cargo through better control of emissions.
This paper was updated July 2025.