The Port of Ghent is one of Belgium’s most important inland ports, handling over 50 million tons of cargo annually. With such heavy traffic, maintaining clean cargo holds isn’t just good practice – it’s absolutely essential for smooth operations. A professional hold cleaning service in Port of Ghent ensures your vessel meets all regulations while protecting your valuable cargo.
Whether you’re transporting:
- Agricultural products (grains, animal feed)
- Minerals and ores (coal, iron)
- Chemicals and fertilizers
- General bulk cargo
…proper hold cleaning makes the difference between a successful voyage and costly problems. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about hold cleaning service in Port of Ghent, from legal requirements to best practices.
For services across Belgium, see our Hold Cleaning service in Belgium page.
Why Hold Cleaning is Critical in Port of Ghent
1. Strict Compliance with International Regulations
The Port of Ghent enforces rigorous standards set by:
- IMO (International Maritime Organization)
- MARPOL Convention
- European Union directives
- Belgian port authorities
Key regulations include:
✔ MARPOL Annex V – Prevents pollution from cargo residues
✔ ISPS Code – Ensures security standards
✔ Port State Control – Regular vessel inspections
Without proper hold cleaning service in Port of Ghent, your vessel risks:
- Heavy fines (up to €50,000 for serious violations)
- Detention orders
- Being banned from loading operations
2. Protecting Cargo Quality and Value
Different cargo types have specific cleanliness requirements:
| Cargo Type | Cleaning Standard | Risks of Poor Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Food-grade (grains, sugar) | Hospital-grade clean | Contamination, cargo rejection |
| Minerals (coal, ores) | Residue-free | Cross-contamination |
| Chemicals | Chemically neutral | Dangerous reactions |
A professional hold cleaning service in Port of Ghent uses specialized methods for each cargo type, including:
- High-pressure water jetting (up to 3000 psi)
- Eco-friendly chemical treatments
- Manual scraping and vacuuming
- Rust prevention coatings
3. Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings
Time is money in shipping. Proper hold cleaning helps:
- Reduce port stay time by 20-30%
- Avoid demurrage charges (€5,000-€15,000 per day)
- Maintain charter party agreements
- Prevent costly cargo claims
Our Professional Hold Cleaning Process
At Marine Super Cargo, we follow a 7-step process for hold cleaning service in Port of Ghent:
- Pre-Cleaning Inspection
- Digital photography of hold condition
- Residue analysis
- Risk assessment
- Dry Removal Phase
- Industrial vacuuming
- Manual scraping
- Loose debris removal
- Primary Washing
- High-pressure water jets (fresh or seawater)
- 360° rotating nozzles for complete coverage
- Specialized Treatments
- Degreasing for oily residues
- Acid washing for mineral deposits
- Disinfection for food-grade holds
- Drying Process
- Industrial air movers
- Moisture testing
- Condensation prevention
- Final Inspection
- White glove test
- ATP swab testing (for food-grade)
- Digital documentation
- Certification
- MARPOL compliance certificate
- Cleaning report for authorities
- Digital records for your files
Types of Hold Cleaning Services Available
We offer three levels of hold cleaning service in Port of Ghent:
- Basic Cleaning (Level 1)
- For similar cargo types
- Dry sweeping and light washing
- 6-8 hour completion time
- Intermediate Cleaning (Level 2)
- For different but compatible cargoes
- High-pressure washing
- Chemical treatments
- 8-12 hour completion
- Food-Grade Cleaning (Level 3)
- For sensitive cargoes
- Hospital-level sanitation
- ATP testing certification
- 12-24 hour completion
Why Choose Our Hold Cleaning Service in Port of Ghent?
✔ 24/7 Availability – Emergency services for last-minute needs
✔ Port-Approved Methods – Fully compliant with Ghent regulations
✔ Experienced Crews – Average 10+ years in hold cleaning
✔ Advanced Equipment – Latest cleaning technology
✔ Transparent Pricing – No hidden charges
We’re the only hold cleaning service in Port of Ghent offering:
- Same-day service guarantee
- Free pre-cleaning inspections
- Digital reporting system
Cost Factors for Hold Cleaning in Ghent
Several factors affect pricing for hold cleaning service in Port of Ghent:
- Hold Size and Number
- Panamax vessel: €3,000-€6,000
- Handysize vessel: €1,500-€3,000
- Cleaning Level Required
- Basic: €800-€1,200 per hold
- Food-grade: €2,000-€3,500 per hold
- Type of Previous Cargo
- Easy-to-clean (grains): +10%
- Difficult residues (coal, chemicals): +30%
- Urgency
- Standard booking: Base price
- Emergency (same-day): +50%
Common Problems We Solve
- Failed Inspections
- Quick corrective cleaning
- Documentation support
- Cargo Contamination
- Deep cleaning protocols
- Quality assurance testing
- Tight Schedules
- Express cleaning teams
- Night/weekend service
- Special Cargo Requirements
- Food-grade certification
- Hazardous material cleaning
FAQs About Hold Cleaning in Port of Ghent
1. How often should holds be cleaned?
Holds should be cleaned:
After every bulk cargo discharge
When switching cargo types
Before sensitive cargoes (food, chemicals)
As required by charter parties
2. What’s the difference between basic and food-grade cleaning?
Basic cleaning removes visible residues, while food-grade cleaning includes:
Sanitization
Microbial testing
Certification for sensitive cargoes
3. How long does hold cleaning typically take?
Cleaning times vary:
Basic: 6-8 hours
Intermediate: 8-12 hours
Food-grade: 12-24 hours
Larger vessels may require additional time.
4. Can you handle emergency cleaning requests?
Yes! We offer:
24/7 emergency service
Same-day turnaround
Priority scheduling
5. What certifications do you provide?
We issue:
MARPOL compliance certificates
Food-grade sanitation reports
Digital before/after documentation
Book Your Hold Cleaning Service Today
Don’t risk fines, delays, or cargo damage. Contact Marine Super Cargo for reliable hold cleaning service in Port of Ghent.
Email: info@marinesupercargo.com
Visit: marinesupercargo.com
For services across Belgium, see our Hold Cleaning service in Belgium page.