Hold Cleaning Shore Gang
Full crews, mobilised to your berth or anchorage
- Gangs scaled to the vessel — from 6 to 40+ cleaners
- Mobilisation at berth, anchorage or during STS operations
- Own equipment, chemicals, lighting and PPE
Get a quote
Tell us the vessel, the port and the window. Scoped reply, usually the same working day.
When the schedule is tight and every hold has to be ready before the next fixture, volume of labour is what wins. Our shore gangs put a full complement of trained cleaners on board the moment the last grab lifts, so cleaning runs in parallel with your other port operations rather than after them.
Gang size is matched to the number of holds, the previous cargo and the hours available. We bring our own high-pressure units, chemicals, lighting and safety equipment, so nothing is drawn from the ship's stores or the crew's working hours.
What you get
- Gangs scaled to the vessel — from 6 to 40+ cleaners
- Mobilisation at berth, anchorage or during STS operations
- Own equipment, chemicals, lighting and PPE
- Sweeping, washing, rinsing and drying in one continuous sequence
- Hold inspection attended and defects rectified on the spot
Where we deliver this
- India
- UAE
- Sri Lanka
- Brazil
- West Africa ports
Scope of work
What is included as standard. Anything outside this is quoted separately and flagged before mobilisation, never added afterwards.
- 01
Sweeping and residue removal
Full manual and mechanical sweep of tank tops, hoppers, brackets and frames, with residues bagged for landing ashore in line with MARPOL Annex V.
- 02
High-pressure washing
Fresh or sea water washing at working pressures suited to the coating condition, covering tank top, hopper plating, side frames, bulkheads and the underside of hatch covers.
- 03
Chemical treatment
Application of marine-approved, biodegradable degreasers and hold cleaners where previous cargoes have left oily, staining or odour-bearing residues.
- 04
Rinsing and drying
Fresh water rinse to remove salt and chemical traces, followed by forced drying and bilge drying so holds present dry, odour-free and free of loose scale.
- 05
Bilge wells and hatch coamings
Bilge wells cleaned, strainers cleared and non-return valves tested; coamings, drain channels and compression bars cleaned so hatch covers seal correctly.
How we deliver it
- 01
Pre-arrival briefing
We confirm previous cargo, next cargo, required standard, coating condition and available working window with the master and superintendent.
- 02
Mobilisation and safety
Gang boards with a toolbox talk, enclosed-space entry permits, gas readings and rescue arrangements agreed with the ship's command.
- 03
Cleaning sequence
Holds are worked in a planned order so drying time is maximised and completed holds are never re-contaminated by adjacent work.
- 04
Inspection and handover
We attend the surveyor's inspection, rectify any observations immediately, and hand over a photographic completion report.
Frequently asked
What is a hold cleaning shore gang?
A hold cleaning shore gang is a land-based labor team deployed at port to clean cargo holds using shore-supplied equipment and manpower, typically engaged during cargo discharge or before loading operations.
How is a shore gang different from a riding crew?
A shore gang works only while the vessel is in port, whereas a riding crew stays aboard and continues hold cleaning while the vessel is underway between ports.
When should a shore gang be used for hold cleaning?
A hold cleaning shore gang is ideal when the vessel has sufficient port time to complete cleaning before the next loading, avoiding the cost of carrying additional crew at sea.
What equipment does CleanShip Marine's shore gang use?
Our shore gang cargo hold cleaning teams use pressure washers, scraping tools, sweepers, and approved cleaning agents suited to the cargo residue type and required cleanliness standard.
How quickly can a shore gang be mobilized?
CleanShip Marine can mobilize port hold cleaning labor on short notice at major ports, coordinating directly with the vessel's agent to align with the discharge and loading schedule.
Does the shore gang work under port safety regulations?
Yes. Our hold cleaning shore gang operates in full compliance with port safety regulations, confined space entry protocols, and the vessel's own safety management procedures.
Can shore gangs handle large bulk carrier holds?
Yes. CleanShip Marine deploys scalable shore gang teams sized to the vessel, capable of cleaning multiple large cargo holds on bulk carriers within tight port turnaround windows.
How do I arrange a shore gang for hold cleaning?
Contact CleanShip Marine with your vessel's port of call, discharge schedule, and required cleanliness standard, and we'll coordinate a hold cleaning shore gang to meet your turnaround timeline.
What cleanliness standards can a shore gang achieve?
Our shore gang cargo hold cleaning teams can achieve standard, grain-clean, and hospital-clean specifications, depending on job scope and time available before the next cargo loading.
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.