Optimization of RBD Palm Stearin Cargo Handling to Ensure the Smooth Unloading Process on MT Celeste I

Welly Tandililing; Nur Alamsyah; Rusman Rusman

doi:10.30649/japk.v16i2.198

Authors

Welly Tandililing Program Studi Nautika, Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Makassar
Nur Alamsyah Program Studi Nautika, Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Makassar
Rusman Rusman Program Studi Nautika, Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Makassar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30649/japk.v16i2.198

Keywords:

rbd palm stearin, cargo handling, cargo loading, temperature management

Abstract

RBD Palm Stearin is the solid fraction of palm oil with a high melting point, making it highly sensitive to temperature variations during sea transportation and cargo discharge. This characteristic causes the cargo to solidify easily, especially when vessels operate in low ambient temperatures. On board MT Celeste I, such conditions have led to flow obstructions, cargo pump stoppages, and delays in loading and unloading, adversely affecting operational efficiency a nd work safety.This study aims to analyze the technical, operational, and human factors contributing to cargo solidification and to formulate optimization strategies to ensure safe and efficient discharge operations. A qualitative approach was applied through direct onboard observations, in-depth interviews with crew members and port personnel, and a review of operational documents from December 2023 to December 2024. The data were thematically analyzed to identify causal patterns, event mechanisms, and best practices in temperature control and cargo handling. The research focuses on temperature management, equipment readiness, and strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) from pre-discharge to final stripping. The results indicate that smooth operations depend heavily on maintaining temperatures above the melting point through well-functioning heaters, effective steam tracing systems, gradual preheating, and even heat circulation. Key challenges include heater leakages, solid accumulation in pipelines or manifolds, thermal effects from ballast operations, and procedural errors. The study recommends implementing real-time temperature monitoring, conducting regular preventive maintenance, enhancing crew competence through technical training, and strengthening SOPs to ensure that heating and cargo discharge processes are carried out safely and efficiently.

References

Bustamam, M., Nurhayati, E., & Hadi, R. (2022). Pengaruh suhu penyimpanan terhadap stabilitas produk turunan minyak sawit RBD Palm Stearin. Jurnal Teknologi Pangan dan Industri, 8(2), 77–86.

Damarani, S., Santoso, B., & Rahayu, N. (2019). Karakteristik fisik dan kimia RBD Palm Stearin pada berbagai kondisi penyimpanan. Jurnal Industri dan Teknologi Pangan, 4(3), 105–112.

Dharmawan, A., & Cakrawardana, B. (2021). Pengaruh suhu laut terhadap kualitas minyak nabati selama pengangkutan laut. Jurnal Transportasi Maritim, 6(1), 21–29.

Dimitranov, N., & Белев, V. (2024). Crew competence in handling temperature-sensitive cargoes. Maritime Education Review, 14(1), 55–63.

Firmanda, R., Supriadi, A., & Putra, I. (2025). Analisis biaya operasional akibat keterlambatan bongkar muat di pelabuhan internasional. Jurnal Manajemen Transportasi Laut, 12(1), 33–47.

Gandhi, A., & Fumie, T. (2023). Global palm oil trade and its impact on economic stability. Journal of International Trade and Policy, 19(3), 245–259.

Hadiguna, R. A., & Tjahjono, B. (2017). Model operasional rantai pasok minyak sawit berkelanjutan di Indonesia. Jurnal Sistem dan Manajemen Industri, 21(2), 87–95.

Hanik, D., Fadilah, A., & Mulyadi, R. (2025). Efisiensi waktu bongkar muat muatan cair pada terminal curah cair. Jurnal Logistik dan Transportasi, 13(2), 66–74.

Hasibuan, H., Yuliana, R., & Kamaruddin, A. (2018). Pengaruh komposisi asam lemak terhadap titik leleh RBD Palm Stearin. Jurnal Kimia Terapan Indonesia, 10(2), 91–98.

Hazman, A., & Achmadi, M. (2021). Faktor teknis yang mempengaruhi durasi bongkar muat muatan minyak nabati di pelabuhan. Jurnal Maritim Indonesia, 9(1), 42–53.

Kamarden, S., Ismail, N., & Rahman, H. (2018). Melting characteristics of palm-based stearin during transportation. Asian Journal of Maritime Science, 3(4), 117–126.

Kusrini, D., & Maswadi, M. (2021). Kontribusi ekspor produk sawit terhadap perekonomian nasional Indonesia. Jurnal Ekonomi dan Pembangunan Nasional, 8(3), 144–156.

Laurie, P., Smith, D., & Hooper, G. (2021). Fuel consumption analysis in tanker heating operations. Journal of Marine Engineering and Technology, 20(2), 132–141.

Liang, W. (2020). Processing and fractionation of palm oil derivatives: Industrial perspective. Food Chemistry and Process Engineering Journal, 11(1), 56–69.

Liu, X. (2022). Operational cost implications of emergency cargo heating in maritime transport. International Journal of Shipping Economics, 15(2), 98–112.

Marina, D. (2019). Dampak fluktuasi suhu laut terhadap kualitas muatan cair pada kapal tanker. Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Kelautan Tropis, 11(1), 77–88.

Nguyen, H., Lee, J., & Park, S. (2019). Heat management strategies for high-melting-point vegetable oils in marine transport. Journal of Marine Logistics, 8(2), 65–75.

Pajić, S., Novaković, M., & Marković, T. (2024). Environmental factors affecting palm oil transport stability. International Maritime Research Journal, 17(1), 29–40.

Priadi, S. (2022). Peran transportasi laut dalam perdagangan global: Sebuah kajian ekonomi maritim. Jurnal Transportasi dan Logistik Nasional, 7(3), 101–111.

Renjani, R., Aulia, D., & Setiawan, M. (2022). Analisis pengaruh suhu lintasan kapal terhadap stabilitas muatan cair. Jurnal Teknik Maritim dan Transportasi, 5(2), 55–66.

Ricardianto, P., Nugroho, A., & Widodo, B. (2019). Human resources training and safety performance in tanker operations. Journal of Maritime Human Factors, 10(3), 112–123.

Sartini, R., Wahyuni, N., & Putra, D. (2022). Peran pelatihan ABK terhadap penanganan muatan sensitif suhu di kapal tanker. Jurnal Keselamatan dan Operasi Kapal, 4(2), 75–84.

Siswanti, R., & Hastuti, L. (2011). Kajian titik leleh dan kekentalan produk RBD Palm Stearin. Jurnal Kimia dan Industri Pangan, 2(1), 49–57.

Suswati, R., Yulianingsih, T., & Mahendra, D. (2019). Analisis kendala bongkar muat muatan cair akibat pembekuan. Jurnal Transportasi Laut Indonesia, 6(1), 71–80.

Sung, K., Lee, Y., & Tan, J. (2022). Global shipping and cost efficiency in maritime trade. Ocean and Coastal Economics Journal, 12(4), 221–235.

Syraleva, E., & Kudinovich, A. (2022). Impact of emergency heating on marine cargo systems performance. Marine Operations and Engineering Review, 9(3), 92–104.

Veronika, N. (2022). Karakteristik fisik dan kimia minyak sawit fraksinasi pada berbagai suhu leleh. Jurnal Teknologi Industri Pertanian, 14(2), 99–108.

Wahyuni, T., Pratama, A., & Lestari, S. (2023). Dampak penundaan bongkar muat terhadap efisiensi operasional pelabuhan. Jurnal Manajemen dan Logistik Maritim, 11(2), 57–69.

Yagci, G., & Noordali, R. (2024). Trends in international maritime trade: Post-pandemic analysis. Global Trade Review, 18(1), 88–101.

Yola, N., Ramadhan, E., & Arif, M. (2023). Thermal control and monitoring system for palm oil derivatives cargoes. Journal of Marine Systems and Operations, 14(2), 67–79.

Zain, A., Fathoni, M., & Setyawan, P. (2023). Analisis fluktuasi suhu terhadap efisiensi bongkar muat minyak sawit di kapal tanker. Jurnal Maritim Terapan, 15(3), 83–94.