Vessel services
Tank cleaning for vessels in Ghana, arranged with licensed partners.
Cargo, ballast, fuel and slop tank cleaning for vessels preparing for survey, repair, dry-docking or a change of cargo — planned, permitted and documented, with the licensed work carried out by licensed partners and coordinated by BlueHarbor.
What we coordinate
Tank cleaning
- 01Scope and planning
Which tanks, what was carried last, what standard of cleanliness is required, and which inspection or certificate must follow.
- 02Safe entry and permits
Enclosed-space entry, gas-freeing, hot-work and permit-to-work controls agreed with the master and the licensed contractor before anyone enters a tank.
- 03Cleaning operations
Carried out by the licensed partner to the agreed procedure. BlueHarbor coordinates between the vessel, the contractor and the surveyor.
- 04Slops, sludge and waste
Residues are handled through licensed waste and reception arrangements, with documentation the vessel can use for its own records, including the Oil Record Book where it applies.
- 05Inspection and close-out
Access for the surveyor or charterer's inspector as required, and a written record of the outcome.
A safety-critical, regulated activity
Tank cleaning involves enclosed spaces, hazardous atmospheres and regulated waste. Nothing starts until the permits, the safe-entry plan and the waste route are agreed. Requirements depend on the port, the vessel and the product carried, and may involve the port authority, the maritime and environmental regulators and the vessel's class society.
Some of these services are licensed or permitted activities. Where BlueHarbor does not itself hold the licence for an activity, we say so in the quotation, name the licensed party that will carry it out, and stay your single point of coordination. We never present a partner's licence as our own.
How it works
From first message to close-out
- 01
Send the vessel details
Vessel name and IMO number, ship type, port and expected arrival and departure, and what you need. A short message is enough to begin.
- 02
We confirm scope, permits and parties
We agree the scope with you, identify the permits and approvals involved, and name the licensed party that will carry out any licensed activity.
- 03
You receive a written quotation
The quotation states what is included, who performs each part, and what documentation you will receive. Prices are quoted per enquiry; we publish no price list.
- 04
We coordinate and report
We coordinate the vessel, the agent, the licensed partners and the surveyor, keep you informed as the work proceeds, and hand over the records at close-out.
Our base is Tema, on Ghana's Gulf of Guinea coast. We take enquiries for vessels calling at Ghanaian ports and, on request, elsewhere in West Africa. Whether we can serve a particular port, and on what dates, is confirmed in writing in the quotation.
Frequently asked
- Can BlueHarbor arrange tank cleaning for my vessel in Ghana?
- Yes. BlueHarbor arranges cargo, ballast, fuel and slop tank cleaning through licensed partners and coordinates the scope, permits, safety plan and waste documentation. The licensed partner carries out the cleaning and BlueHarbor remains your single point of contact.
- Does BlueHarbor hold its own tank-cleaning licence?
- No. The quotation says so plainly and names the licensed party that will do the work. BlueHarbor does not present a partner's licence as its own.
- What information is needed to quote a tank cleaning job?
- The vessel name and IMO number, ship type, the tanks to be cleaned, the last cargo or product carried, the required standard of cleanliness, the port and dates, and any survey or certificate that must follow.
- What happens to the slops and sludge?
- Residues must be handled through licensed waste and reception arrangements at the port and are not discharged. BlueHarbor arranges this with licensed parties and gives you documentation for the vessel's records. Requirements vary by port and by the rules that apply.
- Can tank cleaning be planned together with repairs or dry-docking?
- Yes. Tank cleaning is often a precondition for hot work, repair or docking. Because BlueHarbor also coordinates ship repair, tank preparation, safe-entry planning and the repair scope can be planned as one programme.
Other vessel services
- Bunkering, marine fuels & lubricantsMarine fuel and lubricant supply for vessels at Ghanaian ports, with specification, delivery and documentation coordinated by BlueHarbor and supplied by licensed suppliers.
- Ship repair & maintenanceRepair, maintenance, superintendence and technical support for vessels in Ghana, planned against an agreed scope, codes and acceptance criteria and led by marine engineering.
- Port & terminal supportEquipment maintenance, quayside engineering and operational support for ports and terminals, and technical coordination for vessels alongside.
Send us the vessel details and what you need.
A short message is enough to begin. Not sure which service applies, or need something that is not listed? Tell us — we will say plainly what we can do.