What is the primary reason for tank cleaning?

The primary reason for tank cleaning is to facilitate a change of cargo. When a vessel switches from one type of cargo to another, it is essential to remove any residual materials from the previous cargo. This is crucial to prevent contamination, which can affect the quality of the new cargo, lead to safety hazards, or result in violation of regulations concerning cargo handling.

Different types of cargo may react with one another or may have specific purity requirements, so any residual product must be thoroughly cleaned out. This action not only ensures that the new cargo is handled safely but also helps in maintaining compliance with environmental standards and operational guidelines.

While options such as increasing cargo capacity, reducing tank weight, and accumulating residues may have their contexts or implications, they do not address the essential need for cleanliness and purity when transitioning between different cargo types. Thus, the focus on cleaning tanks to enable a change of cargo underscores its critical role in maritime operations.