Tunisia, located on the southern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, plays a significant role in international maritime trade. As bulk carriers, cargo vessels, and container ships move in and out of ports like Rades, Bizerte, and Sfax, one essential service ensures operational efficiency and cargo safety — a Hold Cleaning Service in Tunisia.
Hold cleaning is a vital preparatory task that maintains hygiene, protects cargo quality, ensures environmental compliance, and enables vessels to carry different types of cargo on subsequent voyages.
Whether preparing for agricultural products, steel, cement, or fertilizers, a clean and contamination-free cargo hold is crucial. By choosing a professional Hold Cleaning Service in Tunisia, vessel owners can minimize delays, meet charterer requirements, and comply with international standards.
Why Hold Cleaning in Tunisia Is Essential
Tunisia exports and imports large volumes of dry bulk and general cargo. Most ports in Tunisia are multi-purpose and handle grain, phosphate, cement, sugar, iron, and other bulk materials. These cargoes often leave behind dust, residues, moisture, and stains — all of which must be removed before loading new cargo.
Benefits of proper hold cleaning include:
- Cargo integrity: Prevent contamination between previous and new cargo.
- Legal compliance: Meet IMO and MARPOL Annex V guidelines.
- Operational efficiency: Avoid delays, rejections, and demurrage costs.
- Health & safety: Eliminate biological, chemical, or fire hazards.
Main Ports Offering Hold Cleaning Service in Tunisia
Hold cleaning is offered across several major Tunisian ports:
- 🛳️ Port of Rades – Main commercial port near Tunis; serves container and general cargo vessels.
- 🛳️ Port of Bizerte – Located in the north; handles oil, grain, and dry bulk shipments.
- 🛳️ Port of Sfax – Second-largest port; exports phosphates and handles diverse dry cargo.
- 🛳️ Port of Gabès – Industrial port for chemicals and fertilizers.
- 🛳️ Port of Zarzis – Commercial and fishing port, also used for cargo.
Each of these ports allows for shore-based support for water supply, chemical usage, and waste disposal — essential for professional hold cleaning operations.
Steps in Hold Cleaning Service in Tunisia
A typical Hold Cleaning Service in Tunisia includes the following phases:
1. Dry Cleaning
Initial removal of bulk residues using manual or mechanical means (shovels, scrapers, air blowers, etc.).
2. High-Pressure Water Washing
High-pressure jet systems clean remaining dust, cargo stains, and salt residues. Depending on availability, both seawater and freshwater can be used.
3. Chemical Cleaning
Degreasers and alkaline detergents are applied to remove oil, cement, or rust stains, especially after fertilizer or coal cargoes.
4. Drying
Thorough drying using natural air, fans, or blowers to ensure no moisture is left behind before loading.
5. Inspection
Final visual inspection ensures the hold is “grain clean” or “hospital clean” depending on the next cargo requirement.
6. Certification
A cleaning certificate is issued after successful inspection by the attending surveyor.
Compliance with IMO and MARPOL Guidelines
Hold cleaning in Tunisia must comply with:
- IMO Regulations: Ensures cleaning and discharge practices are safe and consistent.
- MARPOL Annex V: Regulates disposal of cargo residues and washing water at sea.
- Local Port Authority Requirements: Especially related to wastewater discharge, chemical handling, and onboard waste storage.
All residues and wastewater are either discharged according to MARPOL-compliant procedures or delivered to shore reception facilities available in major ports.
Types of Vessels Served in Tunisia
The following vessel types commonly require hold cleaning services in Tunisia:
- Bulk Carriers
- General Cargo Ships
- Tankers with Dry Bulk Sections
- Container Ships carrying bulk in containers
- Heavy-lift or Multipurpose Vessels
Challenges in Hold Cleaning in Tunisia
Some common challenges in Tunisia’s ports include:
- Limited freshwater availability in certain ports, making dual washing (sea + fresh water) essential.
- Windy coastal conditions that can slow drying during winter months.
- Residue disposal protocols that vary between ports. Proper coordination with authorities is vital.
- Language barriers, as French and Arabic are commonly used by port workers.
Choosing a reliable hold cleaning company ensures these challenges are handled professionally.
Benefits of Choosing Hold Cleaning Service in Tunisia
- On-time cleaning across key ports
- Trained staff with local language proficiency
- Availability of IMO and MARPOL-compliant certificates
- Safe chemical use and proper disposal
- Reduced port delays and faster cargo operations
FAQs – Hold Cleaning Service in Tunisia
Q1: Do Tunisian ports offer MARPOL-compliant waste disposal?
Q2: Is chemical cleaning always required?
Not always. It depends on the type of previous cargo. Fertilizer, coal, or oily cargo typically require chemical treatment.
Q3: Can hold cleaning be done at anchorage in Tunisia?
In limited cases, yes. But port-based cleaning is more reliable and efficient, especially when inspection and certificates are required.
Q4: How long does hold cleaning take?
It varies by cargo type and vessel size. Typically, 6 to 18 hours per hold. Delays due to weather or complex residues may increase the time.
Q5: What types of certification are provided?
Cleaning logs, visual inspection reports, and grain/hospital clean certificates — all IMO-compliant — are provided post-cleaning.
Contact for Hold Cleaning Service in Tunisia
For cost-effective and compliant Hold Cleaning Service in Tunisia, reach out to:
Email: ops@marinesupercargo.com
Website: marinesupercargo.com
Phone: +91 7080050720
Service is available 24/7 for emergency or scheduled cleaning at all major Tunisian ports.