Authored By: Khan, S., Mateus, F.
Date of Publication: 2021 – May – 11

Executive Summary

In the dynamic world of liquid cargo management, achieving precise volume measurement is foundational to ensuring operational success, maintaining financial integrity, and fostering trusted partnerships. This document details our journey at SFK Inc. toward setting new standards for accuracy and efficiency in assessing cargo volumes through exhaustive benchmarking efforts.

We delve into the myriad factors influencing cargo volume estimations, including temperature variances, vessel draft readings, and the subtleties of cargo handling. Our discussion not only clarifies the methodologies underpinning these benchmarks but also showcases our proficiency in utilizing sophisticated mathematical models, AI-driven verification, and the integration of empirical data to outperform established industry benchmarks. Our findings highlight significant progress in accurately forecasting and adjusting cargo volumes, thereby boosting operational efficiency and securing financial transactions.

SFK’s commitment to elevating liquid cargo management transcends conventional standards and practices. By establishing precise benchmarks, we address the complex challenges in cargo handling that traditional approaches often neglect. This document underscores our dedication to bridging these gaps with thoroughly evaluated and verifiable benchmarks, thereby establishing a new standard for accuracy and reliability within the industry. Through the refinement of our methodologies and the adoption of advanced technologies, SFK significantly contributes to the industry’s progression, ensuring the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders involved.

Introduction

When it comes to liquid cargo management, accuracy is paramount for overcoming the challenges that emerge. Accurate volume measurement is critical for upholding financial integrity, ensuring regulatory compliance, building trust among trading partners, streamlining shipping operations, executing accurate financial transactions, and promoting sustainable supply chains. Enhancing precision effectively strengthens the industry’s foundation, enabling it to meet global demands confidently.

At SFK we are committed to reshaping the benchmarks for accuracy and efficiency within the liquid cargo sector. Acknowledging the shortcomings of existing standards that fail to keep pace with technological advancements and operational hurdles, SFK has spearheaded the development of innovative benchmarking methods. By examining both widely recognized and lesser-explored facets of cargo handling, including transport conditions, vessel draft measurements, and adjustments for cargo under varying pressures and temperatures, we set new benchmarks for precision. Our initiatives are instrumental in defining the future of liquid cargo management, driving enhancements that benefit the entire industry. Our overarching goal is to ensure optimal outcomes for stakeholders and to pioneer best practices for the future.

SFK’s Benchmarking Approach: A Paradigm Shift

Reliance on outdated industry standards poses significant hurdles in measuring liquid cargo accurately. Traditional benchmarks often inadequately address the evolving complexities of contemporary cargo handling. The swift pace of technological innovation, shifting global trade dynamics, and growing environmental concerns necessitate the development of benchmarks that accurately reflect the industry’s current state and adapt to its evolving needs. At the forefront, SFK has introduced comprehensive benchmarks that go beyond traditional methodologies through the application of advanced mathematical modeling, AI-driven analytics, and insights derived from real-world operations.

We’ve developed benchmarks that span the entire spectrum of liquid cargo management, tackling variables such as ambient and cargo temperature conditions, vessel draft measurements, and precise volume-to-mass conversions. Our meticulous approach, which leverages data analytics, artificial intelligence, and historical data integration, results in robust benchmarks that are both theoretically sound and practically applicable. Our efforts signify a shift toward a new paradigm where accuracy, efficiency, and sustainability are not just ideals but achievable realities.

The Role of AI and Historical Data

At SFK Inc., we integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) with historical data to refine benchmarks for managing liquid cargo more effectively. This approach involves a systematic analysis of vast amounts of historical operational data, covering aspects such as temperature conditions, vessel draft readings, and other critical variables that influence accurate cargo handling. By employing AI algorithms, we identify patterns and insights within this data that are beyond the reach of human analysts. This deep dive into analytics enables us to develop nuanced, dynamic benchmarks based on historical precedents while leveraging predictive analytics to anticipate future challenges. The incorporation of AI ensures our benchmarks evolve continuously, staying relevant amidst the changing global landscape.

The advantages of this approach are manifold, resulting in improved operational efficiency, minimized financial discrepancies, and enhanced regulatory compliance. Our AI-driven benchmarks enable real-time adjustments, effectively mitigating risks related to cargo shrinkage or expansion. Predictive analytics provide stakeholders with powerful tools for logistics planning, risk management, and strategic decision-making. The implementation of our AI-enhanced benchmarks offers a competitive edge, enabling the adoption of data-driven strategies specifically tailored for the modern landscape of liquid cargo management.

Navigating Priorities: Interpreting and Utilizing SFK’s Benchmarking Hierarchy

Because it is of the utmost importance to achieve precision in volume measurements and efficiency in cargo handling, we provide a structured framework for effectively prioritizing various aspects of cargo management.

High-Priority Benchmarks: Ensuring Accuracy and Integrity

• These high-priority benchmarks focus on accurately measuring cargo volumes and temperatures, correlating strapped and computed values, and correcting for the effects of temperature and pressure on liquid cargo. They are vital for maintaining financial integrity and ensuring regulatory compliance. Stakeholders must direct their resources and attention to these areas, as their precise implementation significantly impacts the reliability of cargo volume measurements.

Medium-Priority Benchmarks: Balancing Efficiency with Precision

• Efficient management of tank bottoms, handling of ‘zero’ volume gauges, and considerations for loading procedures, transport dynamics, and port conditions optimize operational efficiency while minimizing cargo loss risks. These benchmarks are key to ensuring thorough cargo accounting and operational smoothness.

Low-Priority Benchmarks: Refining Operational Insights

• While hydrostatic tables for draft-based volume predictions or trim corrections on supply vessels refine volume estimations, they have a lower or indirect impact on financial outcomes or regulatory compliance. Integrating these benchmarks into cargo management practices contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of cargo dynamics, albeit without significantly affecting the core financial transactions.

Interpreting and applying SFK’s benchmarking hierarchy involves a strategic allocation of resources across different priority levels. By focusing on high-impact areas and considering the importance of medium- and low-priority benchmarks, stakeholders can establish robust liquid cargo management practices that surpass traditional industry standards.

Key Variables in SFK’s Benchmarking Methodology

SFK’s benchmarking approach sets new industry benchmarks for accuracy and efficiency in liquid cargo management. Key variables that have a significant impact on cargo volume estimations include:

• Ambient and water temperature conditions.
• Cargo temperature conditions.
• Vessel draft measurements.
• The correlation of strapped and computed values.
• Adjustments for temperature and pressure effects.

At SFK, we conduct an exhaustive analysis of these variables to develop benchmarks that not only meet but exceed current industry standards.

Guidelines for this methodology can be found in the appendix section at the end of this paper.

Ambient and Water Temperature Conditions

Accurately managing liquid cargo necessitates an understanding of how external temperature influences cargo volume through thermal expansion or contraction. We align ambient and seawater temperatures with product temperatures throughout the cargo’s journey. By meticulously monitoring these temperatures at key intervals, we can accurately predict and adjust cargo volumes based on temperature fluctuations. This method enhances operational precision and maintains the integrity of trade transactions.

Cargo Temperature Conditions

The reliable assessment of cargo temperature is essential for accurate volume-to-mass conversions. We employ state-of-the-art measurement techniques to provide a solid foundation for volume calculations while adhering to API guidelines. Weighted averages are used to calculate representative cargo temperatures, taking into account the specific volumes of individual tanks. This approach minimizes the potential for errors arising from skewed temperature readings.

Supply Vessel Draft Readings

Establishing a correlation between cargo mass and vessel draft readings reflects vessel displacement and offers insights into the total cargo onboard. As the weight of the transported cargo varies, draft readings serve as critical indicators of mass. We ensure the accuracy of vessel draft assessments by applying hydrostatic tables supplemented by historical data when developing and refining our benchmarks.

Correlation of Strapped and Computed Values

Comparing strapped values (calibrated measurements) with computed values is crucial for validating the accuracy of our volume calculation methodologies. This comparison bolsters reliability by aligning computational models with real-world conditions.

Corrections for the Effect of Temperature and Pressure

Understanding the thermal expansion coefficient of the cargo is critical, as this coefficient indicates how cargo volume responds to temperature changes. This knowledge allows for refined volume-to-mass conversions that take into account the specific physical properties of the cargo under different temperature conditions.

Additionally, recognizing the effects of atmospheric and internal pressure on liquid cargo volumes is particularly important for cargoes with high volatility or those that are pressurized. Our methodology encompasses an assessment of these effects to reduce discrepancies in volume measurements resulting from temperature and pressure variations, thereby ensuring a more accurate representation of cargo quantities.

Loading, Transport, and Load Port Conditions

Accurately accounting for loading conditions, transport dynamics, and considerations such as Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) is fundamental to ensuring precision in cargo volume measurements. We address these factors using advanced sensors, monitoring systems, predictive modeling techniques, and the analysis of historical data. By focusing on these variables, we enhance the efficiency and transparency of cargo management practices.

Supply Vessel Tank Bottoms and ‘Zero’ Volume Gauges

The precise measurement of tank bottoms and the accurate handling of ‘zero’ volume gauges pose challenges in the realm of liquid cargo management. We utilize sophisticated sensing technologies, mathematical models, and comprehensive verification processes, along with AI cross-referencing, to improve the accuracy of volume measurements for tank bottoms. Properly accounting for observed but unmeasurable volumes ensures more accurate assessments of cargo quantities.

Trim Correction on Supply Vessel

Addressing the impact of vessel trim on liquid cargo volumes is essential. We employ advanced mathematical models and surveying technologies to assess and compensate for discrepancies in volume readings caused by the vessel’s orientation. This approach guarantees accurate volume measurements, regardless of the vessel’s position.

Advancing Industry Standards Through Innovation

Our benchmarking practices are transforming the maritime sector’s approach to liquid cargo management. By integrating cutting-edge technologies, mathematical modeling, and a deep understanding of industry nuances, we establish new benchmarks that surpass existing standards. Our continuous pursuit of innovation enhances precision, efficiency, and reliability across the industry. By championing improvements that benefit the entire sector, SFK contributes to a more efficient, sustainable, and reliable global supply chain.

Charting the Course

This document outlines SFK Corp’s comprehensive strategy for advancing precision and reliability in liquid cargo management through innovative benchmarking methods. Our focus on key variables—ambient/water temperature conditions, cargo temperature considerations, vessel draft measurements, the correlation between strapped and computed values, and adjustments for temperature and pressure effects—is meticulously analyzed to ensure accuracy in volume measurements.

By addressing challenges such as the management of tank bottoms, the handling of ‘zero’ volume gauges, and corrections for vessel trim, we demonstrate SFK’s commitment to covering all aspects of cargo management comprehensively. Leveraging advanced technologies, mathematical modeling, and the integration of historical data, we meet and exceed industry standards, ushering in a new era of efficiency and trust.

As leaders in the transformation of liquid cargo management practices, SFK is dedicated to continuous improvement and achieving industry recognition. We recognize the dynamic nature of the industry and its challenges. By establishing new standards, we enhance our clients’ capabilities and contribute to the evolution of the maritime sector. Our vision is a future where accuracy, efficiency, and sustainability are achieved through innovation, a commitment to excellence, and unwavering dedication. Moving forward, SFK remains committed to leading the transformation of liquid cargo management—delivering value, fostering trust, and driving progress throughout the global maritime community.

Appendix A

Standardized Guidelines and Best Practices for Benchmarking in Liquid Cargo Transportation with AI Cross-Referencing

Introduction to Benchmarking Variables for AI Verification

The utilization of specific variables in cross-referencing AI verification with internal benchmarks is essential in the context of liquid cargo transportation. SFK commits to the regular update and integration of historical data and case studies to elucidate the practical implications of these benchmarks. This practice not only contextualizes the benchmarks but also highlights their significance and applicability in addressing the complexities of liquid cargo management. Furthermore, SFK aligns with and strives to exceed existing industry standards (e.g., ASTM, API, ISO) by developing precise, up-to-date benchmarks that cover both common and unique challenges in cargo handling.

1. Ambient and Water Temperature Conditions

• Establish temperature benchmarks to account for deviations in observed cargo volumes before conversion to mass.
• Verify the alignment of ambient and seawater temperatures with product temperatures from loading to initial survey.
• Monitor the product temperature against benchmarked standards, considering ambient and seawater temperatures over time.
• Recognize this as a medium priority benchmark due to its predictability, though understand its limitations in specific applications due to variations in product density and vessel condition.

2. Cargo Temperature Conditions

• Ensure the base cargo temperature provided by the supplier aligns with loading conditions, considering ambient, water temperatures, and time variances.
• Implement weighted averages for overall cargo temperature to account for tank-specific temperature and volume percentages, enhancing accuracy in volume-to-mass conversions.
• Designate this as a high priority benchmark due to its straightforward verification process and significant impact on accuracy and loss control.

3. Supply Vessel Draft Readings

• Correlate the vessel’s draft readings with its cargo mass, ensuring that overall, forward, aft, and list (if applicable) draft readings reflect the cargo distribution accurately.
• Utilize hydrostatic tables for advanced analysis of draft readings, offering insights into vessel displacement and draft in relation to cargo mass.
• Classify draft readings as a low priority benchmark, useful for setting a foundational expectation of cargo quantity rather than for fine-tuning calculations.

4. Correlation of Strapped and Computed Values

• Benchmark computed volume values against strapped values (calibrated tank volumes), maintaining a variance within 0.625%.
• Advocate for regular calibration of tank measurements, particularly after significant structural modifications, to ensure accuracy.
• Treat this as a high priority benchmark, critical for ascertaining values with high accuracy and integrity in volume calculations.

5. Corrections for the Effect of Temperature and Pressure on Liquid Cargo

• Incorporate thermal expansion coefficients and pressure effects into volume-to-mass conversions, refining benchmarks based on cargo-specific properties.
• Validate the use of VCF or CTL values against programmatically calculated ones, ensuring accurate conversion under varying temperature and pressure conditions.
• Prioritize this benchmark highly due to its crucial role in determining accurate cargo outturns.

6. Loading, Transport, and Load Port Conditions

• Understand and account for conditions affecting cargo volume during loading, including the treatment of turbulent layers.
• Apply manual corrections for turbulent layers and re-evaluate temperatures post-loading to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Acknowledge the impact of transport conditions (e.g., turbulence, stoppages) on measurements, preferring stability in readings for accuracy.
• Consider this a medium priority benchmark, essential for addressing dynamic conditions but requiring cross-reference with more reliable checks.

7. Supply Vessel Tank Bottoms and ‘Zero’ Volume Gauges

• Ensure proper accounting for unmeasurable, observable volumes, aligning benchmarked volumes for tank bottoms with observed values.
• Propose a standardized methodology for measuring and reporting tank bottom volumes, enhancing reliability in volume measurements for loss control.
• Assign a medium priority to this benchmark due to its accuracy and ease of implementation, despite its limited impact on final outturn.

8. Trim Correction on Supply Vessel

• Accurately account for the effect of vessel trim on cargo volume measurements, especially in forward and aft tanks.
• Implement a detailed framework for calculating trim corrections, considering vessel orientation and cargo distribution.
• Designate trim correction as a high priority benchmark due to its significant impact on volume assessment accuracy and its potential for misuse.

These guidelines and best practices represent SFK’s commitment to refining and enhancing benchmarking processes in liquid cargo transportation, contributing to the industry’s overall progress and ensuring optimal outcomes for all stakeholders.