Purchase Procedure · FOB

Tank-to-Vessel
TTV · Dip and Pay

The standard safe procedure for vessel-based hydrocarbons delivery in Rotterdam, Houston and Antwerp — zero upfront payments, independent inspection required before berthing.

Overview

FOB Tank-to-Vessel Standard Procedure

The FOB TTV procedure shares the same security philosophy as TTT — Dip and Pay without upfront payments — but introduces a critical logistical element: your vessel. In TTV, logistical risk escalates significantly. If the ship arrives and the product is not ready, you will incur massive demurrage costs — between $25,000 and $80,000 USD per day. Port authorities and terminals in Antwerp, Rotterdam and Houston demand pixel-perfect documentation order.

01
Initial Documentation and Vessel Nomination

Beyond the standard commercial documentation, the TTV procedure requires additional vessel-specific documents from the outset.

  • Buyer: Issues the ICPO with corporate documents (CIS), plus the CPA (Charter Party Agreement) and Q88 (vessel technical and safety specifications).
  • Seller: Issues the Commercial Invoice (CI). The buyer signs and seals it in acceptance.
  • Seller must confirm in writing that the loading terminal accepts your vessel before CI is signed.
02
Product Proofs and Laycan (PPOP)

The seller must prove product existence in shore tanks before your vessel approaches the berth.

  • Unconditional DTA: Dip Test Authorization for your inspectors to analyze the shore tank.
  • ETA/NOR Format: Seller approves the proposed loading window (laycan) for the buyer's vessel.
  • Recent SGS: Quality analysis of the product in the shore tank (tank storage analysis).
03
Dip Test in Shore Tank

The buyer hires and pays SGS or Saybolt to attend the seller's terminal in Houston, Rotterdam or Antwerp. Inspectors perform the Dip Test in the shore tank and issue the Q&Q report confirming fuel meets specifications. Only then does the maritime phase begin.

  • Do not allow your vessel to issue the NOR or approach the berth before this step is complete.
  • If SGS is not cleared and the ship berths with contaminated product, demurrage costs begin immediately.
04
Notice of Readiness and Berthing

Once shore Dip Test is confirmed positive, the vessel proceeds to berth.

  • The captain issues the NOR (Notice of Readiness) to the seller's terminal, confirming the ship is ready to receive cargo.
  • The terminal authorizes the vessel to berth at the assigned location.
05
Injection to Vessel and Second Inspection

Loading arms or hoses from the terminal are connected to the vessel. The seller pumps the product from shore tanks into the buyer's vessel tanks.

  • SGS inspectors on board take final samples from the ship's tanks — Composite Sample.
  • Terminal issues the Bill of Lading (B/L) — the legal document of ownership.
  • The B/L must be issued in your company's name before releasing any bank funds.
06
Payment and Closing — Dip and Pay

Payment is executed only upon receipt of the B/L and final SGS report from the vessel.

  • Buyer: Confirms product is physically in the vessel, then executes 100% payment via MT103 / TT wire transfer.
  • Seller: Delivers Title of Ownership and final export documents. Vessel receives Sailing Order.

TTV Security Framework

Specific Security Rules for TTV

Before signing CI
Q88 Terminal Validation

Ensure the seller confirms in writing that the loading terminal accepts your vessel. Antwerp and Rotterdam have strict environmental and draft regulations. If the terminal rejects your ship due to Q88 issues, you lose the loading right and could lose charter money.

Before NOR
Fresh Shore SGS Required

Do not allow your vessel to issue the Notice of Readiness or approach the berth unless SGS has certified the product in the shore tank first. If the ship berths and the product fails the Dip Test, the vessel will be detained or must depart.

⚠ Demurrage costs: $25,000 – $80,000 USD per day

Final phase
Bill of Lading Monitoring

In TTV, the Bill of Lading is the king document. Whoever appears as consignee on the B/L is the legal owner of the cargo before maritime customs in Houston, Rotterdam or Antwerp. Ensure the draft B/L is issued in your company's name before releasing bank funds.

Note on Antwerp

Unlike Houston, customs in the Rotterdam-Antwerp corridor operate under strict EU regulations including control of origin to avoid Russian-sanctioned product under the Taric customs code. Always require a non-sanctioned Certificate of Origin in Step 2 of this procedure.

Ready to Initiate a Transaction?

Contact our trading team to begin the ICPO process and discuss vessel nominations and volume requirements.

Contact Our Team View TTT Procedure