Terminal representative under SOLAS regulation VI/7
The person the terminal appoints with responsibility for its loading and unloading operations, and the counterparty to the master on the agreed cargo plan.
The terminal representative is defined at SOLAS regulation VI/7.1 as a person appointed by the terminal or other facility, where the ship is loading or unloading, who has responsibility for operations conducted by that terminal or facility with regard to the particular ship. The definition creates a named counterparty to the master, which is what makes the rest of regulation VI/7 workable.
The role carries three concrete duties. Under regulation VI/7.3 the master and the terminal representative agree a loading or unloading plan before operations begin, ensuring the permissible forces and moments on the ship are not exceeded, covering the sequence, quantity and rate, and taking account of the ship’s ballasting capability; the plan and any amendment is lodged with the port State authority. Under VI/7.4 both parties ensure operations follow the plan. Under VI/7.5 the master may suspend operations, with an obligation to notify the port State authority holding the plan.
The BLU Code, IMO resolution A.862(20), is the recommendatory guidance to that regime, and the BLU Manual, MSC/Circ.1160, is written for terminal representatives specifically. In European Union ports Directive 2001/96/EC makes much of that practice binding. The full article will cover appointment, competence, the ship and shore checklist and the liability position when a plan is departed from.