Cargo Holds Cleaning
With over 40 years of expertise, Seachios® Marine Services provides comprehensive cargo hold cleaning across Brazil's most vital ports, including São Francisco do Sul, Paranaguá, Itaqui, and Santos. Internationally, we offer tailored solutions in Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Panama. Our commitment to precision, compliance, and efficiency ensures that every vessel is serviced to the highest standards, safeguarding your cargo and vessel longevity.
Comprehensive Expertise in Cargo Hold Cleaning Since 1980
For over four decades, Seachios® Marine Services has set the standard in cargo hold cleaning, completing more than 180,000 successful cargo holds cleaned. We serve Brazil’s most critical ports, from the southern hubs of São Francisco do Sul and Paranaguá to the bustling northeastern ports like Salvador, Suape, and Recife. Our expertise extends through key industrial centers, including Vitória, Santos, Pecém, and notably Itaqui, a strategic hub for international trade due to its deep-water capabilities. The breadth of our operations across Brazil ensures that we meet the high demands of local and international shipping traffic with precision and speed.
On the international stage, Seachios® offers specialized cargo hold cleaning at key ports in Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Panama. These locations house our fully operational bases, strategically placed to ensure rapid deployment and response, no matter the size or complexity of the job. By combining deep local knowledge with international standards, we deliver tailored solutions that consistently exceed client expectations, ensuring every vessel we service is fully compliant and ready for its next cargo.
Precision Technology and Tailored Cleaning Solutions
Our cleaning process relies on hydroblasting technology with machines calibrated to 7350 PSI (500 BAR), delivering a high-pressure stream capable of removing heavy contaminants, residue, and scale from the most challenging cargo holds. The equipment is designed to handle a variety of cargo types, whether removing coal, iron ore, or even delicate grain remnants. Our team leverages customized nozzles and precision-controlled flow rates, engineered by our in-house experts, ensuring effective cleaning even in restricted and confined spaces within the cargo holds.
We take an adaptive approach, using specific chemical formulations selected based on the nature of the cargo and the required standards. For food-grade or pharmaceutical cargoes, we comply with hospital cleanliness standards, while for bulk grains, we ensure that all residues are removed to meet grain-specific cleanliness requirements, following IMO, MARPOL Annex V, and SOLAS guidelines.
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Our pre-cleaning procedure includes a detailed manual sweep to remove any residual bulk materials that could obstruct the drainage systems, particularly in bilge areas. The pre-cleaning phase not only protects the ship’s systems but also ensures that our chemical treatments and water jets work on a thoroughly prepared surface, maximizing efficiency.
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For rust removal, we utilize a multi-step process combining mechanical abrasion with advanced chemical descaling agents that penetrate deep into the surface, removing corrosion without damaging the hold's structure. This process ensures the longevity of the cargo hold, minimizes future rust reformation, and meets the standards set by classification societies like Britannia P&I Club. Additionally, our methodology reduces the risk of contamination for subsequent cargoes, safeguarding the ship's commercial value and operational efficiency.
Skilled Workforce and Operational Excellence
Our shore gang teams are rigorously trained, with expertise certified under ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental sustainability, and ISO 45001 for health and safety. These certifications are supported by ongoing internal training programs that align with international standards such as MARPOL (prevention of pollution) and SOLAS (safety of life at sea), ensuring our teams are not only technically proficient but also fully compliant with global maritime regulations.
Every crew member is also certified for working in confined spaces, working at heights, and port operational safety, ensuring the highest levels of competence in all operational environments, from port to ship. Our shore teams are supported by a dedicated clearance agency, which manages all necessary authorizations and permits from federal and port authorities. This allows us to ensure that every operation complies with local laws, minimizing disruptions and ensuring smooth, uninterrupted service delivery.
Strategic Project Management with PMBOK Framework
At Seachios®, we apply a structured project management approach based on the PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge) framework, ensuring that every cleaning operation is meticulously planned, executed, and reviewed. Each project is overseen by certified project managers who are experts in risk assessment, timeline management, and resource allocation. This ensures that we meet the specific needs of our clients, whether they require urgent cleaning services during tight port schedules or large-scale operations across multiple vessels.
Strategic Risk Management
Our approach incorporates detailed risk management protocols, where potential hazards are identified in the planning stage and addressed proactively. From assessing environmental risks—such as weather impacts or hazardous cargo residues—to operational risks like equipment malfunctions or confined space hazards, we mitigate issues before they become critical. Our teams employ real-time monitoring systems, allowing us to adjust operations based on immediate feedback, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal performance.
Each cleaning project culminates in a comprehensive report, documenting every stage of the operation with photographic evidence, technical readings, and compliance certificates. These reports not only provide our clients with transparency but also serve as valuable tools for future operational planning, maintenance scheduling, and compliance verification.
Compliance, Transparency, and Environmental Responsibility
We prioritize compliance with international maritime laws and environmental regulations, adhering to MARPOL Annex V for the prevention of pollution by garbage from ships and SOLAS Chapter II-2 for the fire safety of cargo holds. Our environmental management practices ensure that all waste materials, residues, and runoff are properly handled, treated, and disposed of according to local and international guidelines.
We understand the importance of transparency and client trust. Our operations are conducted with full accountability, providing clients with real-time updates throughout the cleaning process, including pre-cleaning surveys, post-cleaning inspections, and thorough documentation. This level of detailed reporting ensures that our clients are fully informed of all actions taken, helping to build long-term partnerships grounded in trust and operational reliability.
Our Trustable Suppliers
Biodegradable Chemicals
Carefully selected for their effectiveness and eco-friendliness.
Compliance with Regulations
Adherence to IMO, MARPOL, and SOLAS conventions ensures our practices meet stringent international standards for environmental protection and safety.
Our sustainable approach combines operational excellence with a deep respect for the marine ecosystem.
Keep Your Cargo Holds Safe
We are dedicated to delivering technically sound and environmentally responsible cleaning solutions. Our holds cleaning technology and methods exemplifies this commitment, offering our clients a ship service that is both highly effective and considerate of their operational and environmental needs.