Hold Cleaning Riding Crew
Cleaning that happens while you are already earning
- Vessel loses zero commercial time to cleaning
- Fully documented seafarers — STCW, medicals, visas, flag endorsements
- Work continues in transit, weather and sea state permitting
Get a quote
Tell us the vessel, the port and the window. Scoped reply, usually the same working day.
The most economical hold cleaning is the cleaning that costs you no port time at all. Our riding crews join at the discharge port, sail with the vessel, and work through the ballast passage so the holds are finished before the load port pilot is even ordered.
Riding crews carry full seafarer documentation, medicals and flag-state paperwork, and integrate with the ship's safety management system from the moment they board. They work under the master's authority and to the ship's permit-to-work regime throughout.
What you get
- Vessel loses zero commercial time to cleaning
- Fully documented seafarers — STCW, medicals, visas, flag endorsements
- Work continues in transit, weather and sea state permitting
- Team sizes from 4 to 20 depending on holds and passage length
- Crew can disembark at the load port or continue for further voyages
Where we deliver this
Worldwide. Crews join the vessel wherever the fixture takes it.
Scope of work
What is included as standard. Anything outside this is quoted separately and flagged before mobilisation, never added afterwards.
- 01
Passage planning of the cleaning programme
The cleaning sequence is planned against the passage length, expected weather and ballast condition so every hold is completed with drying time in hand.
- 02
Complete hold preparation
Sweeping, washing, chemical treatment, rinsing and drying of all cargo holds to the agreed standard, exactly as delivered by a shore gang.
- 03
Hatch cover and coaming work
Cleaning of compression bars, drain channels and gaskets, with defects reported to the chief officer for rectification before loading.
- 04
Bilge and drainage systems
Bilge wells emptied and cleaned, strainers cleared and non-return valves tested so holds pass the water-ingress checks at inspection.
- 05
Additional deck work
Where the passage allows, the crew can extend to deck chipping, spot priming and painting under the same mobilisation.
How we deliver it
- 01
Documentation and clearance
We prepare crew documents, flag-state approvals, visas and P&I notifications well ahead of the join port so boarding is never the bottleneck.
- 02
Joining and familiarisation
The crew boards, completes ship familiarisation and safety induction, and agrees the working programme with the chief officer.
- 03
Cleaning on passage
Work proceeds hold by hold under the ship's permit-to-work system, with daily progress reported to the master and to your office.
- 04
Completion and disembarkation
Holds are presented for the master's inspection, a photographic report is issued, and the crew disembarks at the agreed port.
Frequently asked
What is a hold cleaning riding crew?
A hold cleaning riding crew is a team of cleaning personnel who board the vessel and remain onboard, cleaning cargo holds while the ship is underway between discharge and the next loading port.
Why choose a riding crew over a shore gang?
A riding crew is ideal when port time is limited, allowing hold cleaning at sea to continue during the voyage so the vessel arrives at the next port fully cargo-ready.
How does a riding crew work while the vessel is at sea?
Our onboard hold cleaning crew follows strict safety procedures for working in cargo holds underway, including ventilation checks, confined space protocols, and coordination with the ship's officers.
What cleanliness standards can a riding crew achieve during a voyage?
Depending on voyage length and hold condition, our hold cleaning riding crew can achieve standard, grain-clean, or hospital-clean specifications by the time the vessel reaches its next loading port.
Is a riding crew safe to deploy during rough sea conditions?
Our teams assess weather and sea conditions continuously, pausing hold cleaning operations when necessary to ensure crew safety, in line with the vessel's safety management system.
How many days in advance should I book a riding crew?
We recommend booking a hold cleaning riding crew as early as possible, ideally at the discharge port, to ensure crew availability, visa arrangements, and boarding logistics are completed in time.
Does the riding crew bring their own cleaning equipment?
Yes. CleanShip Marine's riding squad cargo hold cleaning teams bring their own rope kits and safety gear, minimizing reliance on the vessel's onboard equipment. Pressure washers, chemical sprayers and other manual tools are required from the vessel.
What documentation is provided for insurance and boarding purposes?
We provide crew certificates, safety training records, and boarding documentation required by the vessel and port authorities prior to riding crew embarkation.
Can a riding crew handle multiple cargo holds during one voyage?
Yes. Our hold cleaning riding crew teams are sized according to the number of holds and voyage duration, ensuring all holds are cleaned to specification before arrival.
How do I book a hold cleaning riding crew for my vessel?
Contact CleanShip Marine with your vessel's discharge port, next loading port, and voyage duration, and we'll arrange a riding crew to board and complete hold cleaning en route.
We always ready to serve you.
Tell us the vessel, the port and the window. You get a scope, a crew size and an honest duration — usually the same working day.