Ship-to-Ship Loading of 10,900 Tons of Palm Kernel Shells in Pontianak

Loading thousands of tons of cargo onto a ship is a complex operation that requires much more than simply moving cargo from one vessel to another. It involves close coordination between the vessel, cargo owner, surveyors, port authorities, barge operators, and local maritime teams.

A recent example took place at Pontianak, Indonesia, where MV Apollo Hina loaded 10,900 metric tons of Palm Kernel Shells (PKS) for transportation to Nakagusuku, Japan through a ship-to-ship cargo operation. TMA Group supported the vessel's port and cargo activities, helping coordinate the loading process, documentation, clearance, and departure.

The operation also highlights the importance of local maritime expertise and logistics coordination, particularly when weather conditions can affect vessel movements, cargo handling, and the timing of ship-to-ship operations.

What was MV Apollo Hina Carrying?

MV Apollo Hina loaded 10,900.001 metric tons of Palm Kernel Shells (PKS) at Pontianak. Palm Kernel Shells are a by-product of palm oil production and can be used as biomass fuel, making them a commercially traded cargo in international supply chains.

The cargo was shipped from Pontianak, Indonesia, to Nakagusuku, Japan. Unlike a typical operation where cargo is loaded directly from a shore-based terminal, the PKS was transferred to MV Apollo Hina from barges while the vessel was at anchorage.

In simple terms, the journey was: Pontianak → Barge-to-Vessel Cargo Loading → Sea Voyage → Nakagusuku, Japan.

What is Ship-to-Ship Loading?

Ship-to-ship loading is the transfer of cargo directly from one vessel to another without the cargo first being discharged at a land-based terminal.

In this operation, the cargo was carried by barges and transferred directly into MV Apollo Hina's cargo holds. The barge came alongside the larger vessel, was secured safely, and cargo-handling equipment was used to move the Palm Kernel Shells from the barge into the ship.

A ship-to-ship operation may be used when:

• The port does not have a suitable berth for the larger vessel
• The cargo is available at a river, anchorage, or offshore location
• Barges are used to collect cargo from shallow-water areas
• A vessel needs to load cargo without entering a conventional cargo terminal
• Local port infrastructure is limited or specialized

Although the cargo transfer takes place between vessels, the operation still requires many of the same controls as a conventional loading operation. These include vessel preparation, cargo hold inspections, draft surveys, weather monitoring, safe mooring, cargo documentation, communication between crews, and coordination with authorities and surveyors.

Ship-to-ship loading also requires careful attention to the movement of both vessels. Wind, waves, current, visibility, barge readiness, and the condition of the mooring arrangements can all affect whether cargo operations can continue safely.

Why Were Barges Used?

A barge is a type of flat-bottomed vessel commonly used to transport cargo over relatively short distances, particularly around ports, rivers, and coastal areas.

For MV Apollo Hina, the cargo was brought alongside the vessel using barges. The cargo was then transferred directly from each barge into the ship's cargo holds. This was therefore a barge-to-vessel ship-to-ship loading operation.

The operation depended not only on MV Apollo Hina being ready, but also on the availability, readiness, and safe positioning of each barge.

Three barges were involved during the loading operation:

• BG. HP 230 No. 1
• BG. BB 11
• BG. Newton Power 3001

Each barge brought cargo to MV Apollo Hina and was handled as part of the overall ship-to-ship loading sequence.

Step 1: MV Apollo Hina Arrives at Pontianak

MV Apollo Hina completed its sea passage and arrived at Pontianak Anchorage at 01:42 on 14 August 2026.

An anchorage is an area where ships can safely wait or remain anchored before proceeding with other port activities. The vessel dropped anchor after arrival, but cargo operations could not begin immediately because of bad weather, which affected activities from 01:42 until 08:25.

Once conditions allowed operations to proceed, port authorities and TMA Group's agent boarded the vessel at 08:25, and Free Pratique was granted at 09:10, allowing the vessel to proceed with the necessary port activities.

Because the cargo was to be loaded ship-to-ship, the vessel also needed to remain safely positioned at anchorage while waiting for the barges to come alongside.

Step 2: Preparing the Vessel for Ship-to-Ship Cargo Loading

Before cargo could be loaded, several preparations had to take place.

The ship's crew spent time preparing the equipment and setting up the pontoon required for the operation. The pontoon and associated equipment supported the safe transfer of cargo between the barge and MV Apollo Hina.

The shipper and surveyors then boarded at 12:20 for a coordination meeting. This meeting helped align the vessel, cargo, survey, and operational teams before the first barge came alongside.

Two important surveys were also part of the process. The first was a draft survey, which estimates the amount of cargo on a ship by measuring changes in the vessel's draft, or how deeply the ship sits in the water.

A hold inspection was also carried out to check the condition of the spaces where the cargo would be placed. These checks help ensure that the vessel and its cargo spaces are ready before ship-to-ship loading begins.

Step 3: The First Barge Comes Alongside

At 15:10, the first cargo barge, BG. HP 230 No. 1, came alongside MV Apollo Hina.

Coming alongside means positioning the barge next to the receiving vessel and securing it so that cargo can be transferred safely. During a ship-to-ship operation, the crews must monitor the relative movement of both vessels and maintain safe mooring arrangements throughout the transfer.

After the barge was positioned, the crew prepared the equipment needed to transfer the cargo from the barge into MV Apollo Hina's cargo holds.

Loading began at 16:15 and continued until 01:00 on 15 August, when the first barge completed its operation.

Bad weather then interrupted activities from 01:00 to 03:40. Once conditions affected the safety or efficiency of the transfer, the operation had to be paused. The first barge subsequently left the vessel, and the operation waited for the next barge to become ready.

Step 4: The Second Barge Continues the Loading Operation

The second barge, BG. BB 11, arrived alongside MV Apollo Hina at 15:22 on 15 August. After the necessary equipment was prepared, loading resumed at 16:30, with the cargo transferred from the barge into the vessel's cargo holds. The operation continued through the night and into the following day.

BG. BB 11 completed its loading operation at 13:35 on 16 August and then left the vessel. However, the total cargo quantity had not yet been loaded, so MV Apollo Hina had to wait for the third barge to become available.

Step 5: Waiting for the Third Barge

Cargo loading was suspended from 16 August until 19 August while the operation waited for the next barge to be ready. This delay shows how barge-to-vessel loading depends on the availability and coordination of several assets, not only the receiving vessel.

The third barge, BG. Newton Power 3001, arrived alongside MV Apollo Hina at 04:25 on 19 August. After the equipment was prepared, loading resumed at 06:15 and continued for more than a day as the remaining cargo was transferred into the vessel's holds.

Step 6: Completing the 10,900-Ton Cargo Loading

Loading continued through 20 August, with an intermediate draft survey conducted between 17:00 and 18:00 before operations resumed. This survey helped monitor the quantity loaded and compare the vessel's condition with the cargo records.

The cargo loading was completed at 23:10 on 20 August, followed by a final draft survey completed at 01:00 on 21 August. The independent surveyors recorded a total cargo quantity of 10,900.001 MT, which was also entered on the vessel's Bill of Lading.

Step 7: Final Documentation and Fumigation

After the cargo quantity was confirmed, the cargo documentation was completed at 01:15 on 21 August. The vessel then underwent fumigation from 01:20 to 03:20 to control pests and other organisms in accordance with the cargo, destination, or applicable regulations.

The cargo holds were closed at 03:30 after fumigation was completed. The third barge left the vessel at 05:20, completing the barge-to-vessel cargo transfer phase.

Step 8: Customs and Port Clearance

Before MV Apollo Hina could leave Indonesia, the required departure procedures had to be completed. The shipper obtained customs clearance at 08:38, followed by port clearance at 10:30, confirming that the necessary regulatory and documentation requirements had been satisfied.

Once clearance was obtained, MV Apollo Hina raised anchor at 11:00 and departed Pontianak for Nakagusuku, Japan. The vessel was expected to arrive at its destination on 29 August 2026 at 15:00.

How Weather Conditions Affect Ship Loading

The MV Apollo Hina operation demonstrates how external factors can affect cargo transportation, particularly when cargo is transferred between vessels.

The vessel arrived at Pontianak on 14 August, but bad weather immediately delayed the start of operations.

Weather conditions can affect ship-to-ship loading in several ways:

• Strong wind can make it difficult for a barge to come alongside
• Waves can cause excessive movement between the vessels
• Currents can affect the position of the barge and the main vessel
• Poor visibility can make maneuvering and communication more difficult
• Unsafe conditions can place additional strain on mooring lines and cargo-handling equipment

Later, cargo loading also had to pause while the operation waited for the next barge to become ready.

This is one of the realities of maritime and logistics operations. Even when a vessel, cargo, equipment, and personnel are ready, operations can still be affected by weather, equipment availability, port conditions, barge readiness, and coordination between different parties.

Effective local coordination helps identify these challenges and manage the operation as efficiently and safely as possible.

MV Apollo Hina Port Call at a Glance

More Than Loading a Ship

The MV Apollo Hina operation demonstrates that international cargo transportation involves a complex chain of activities, from vessel arrival and cargo preparation to barge coordination, cargo transfer, surveys, fumigation, documentation, customs clearance, and departure. Each stage must be carefully coordinated to keep the operation safe and efficient.

For bulk cargo and barge-to-vessel loading, local knowledge is particularly important. Understanding port and anchorage conditions, coordinating with authorities and service providers, monitoring weather, and maintaining communication between the vessel and cargo stakeholders can help keep operations moving.

TMA Group provides shipping agency, maritime, port, and logistics services across Indonesia, supporting vessel owners, operators, charterers, shippers, and cargo interests with local coordination and operational assistance. Whether a vessel is arriving, loading or discharging cargo, conducting a ship-to-ship transfer, or preparing for its next voyage, effective coordination helps connect every part of the maritime logistics chain.