Fumigation & marine / Vessel

Vessel and in-hold fumigation in Dubai

In-hold and whole-vessel treatment for bulk carriers and general cargo ships, carried out against the vessel's schedule and supervised through exposure, ventilation and clearance before the holds are worked.

Cargo vessel alongside a berth during in-hold fumigation

Attendance against the vessel schedule

Supervised exposure and ventilation

Clearance confirmed before holds are worked

Documentation issued on completion

In short

Vessel fumigation treats cargo in the hold, either alongside or in transit, to control storage pests in bulk commodities. The holds are sealed, treated and held for the required exposure period, then ventilated and gas-cleared before anyone enters or discharge begins.

Reviewed by the Star Al Madina technical teamDubai Municipality licensedLast updated September 2026

Overview

Treating cargo in the hold

Bulk commodities — grain, rice, pulses, seeds, oilcake — carry storage pests that continue breeding through a voyage. By discharge the population can be far larger than at loading, and an infested cargo becomes a commercial problem at the receiving end, long after the technical one at sea.

In-hold fumigation treats the cargo where it sits. The hold is sealed, dosed and held for an exposure period determined by commodity, temperature and target pest, then ventilated and gas-cleared under supervision before any entry or discharge.

The safety element is not incidental. Gas clearance has to be confirmed by measurement before holds are entered, and that confirmation forms part of the service.

At a glance

Applies to: Bulk and general cargo
Carried out: Alongside or in transit
Includes: Exposure and clearance
Entry: Only after gas clearance
Output: Treatment documentation

What is included

What in-hold fumigation covers

The master and the agent agree the work before attendance, and it follows the cargo wherever it sits.

Pre-attendance planning
Commodity, hold configuration, voyage plan and discharge port confirmed so the method and exposure period can be set correctly.
Hold sealing
Hatches, vents and access points sealed so the gas is retained for the full exposure. Retention is what determines whether the treatment works.
Controlled dosing
Dosage calculated against hold volume, commodity and temperature. Nominal figures are not used.
Exposure period
Held for the required duration, monitored where the voyage allows, with the schedule agreed in advance.
Ventilation and gas clearance
Holds ventilated and clearance confirmed by measurement before entry or discharge is permitted.
Documentation
Treatment records and certification issued on completion for the vessel, the agent and the receiver.

How it works

How a vessel job is arranged

Vessel work runs to the ship's schedule, so the sequence is agreed with the agent before the vessel berths.

1Enquiry and detailsVessel, berth or anchorage, commodity, hold configuration, voyage plan and discharge port. That determines method and exposure.
2Method and dosage setCalculated against hold volume, commodity and expected temperatures, with the exposure period confirmed in writing.
3Attendance and sealingTechnicians attend at the agreed window, seal the holds and apply the treatment under supervision.
4Exposure and monitoringThe exposure period is held, monitored where the voyage permits, and any deviation reported to the master and agent.
5Clearance and releaseHolds ventilated, gas clearance confirmed by measurement, and documentation issued before discharge.

Who it is for

Shipping agents, owners and charterers

Vessel fumigation is arranged by the party responsible for the cargo's condition at discharge, which varies by charter.

Shipping agents arranging treatment on behalf of owners or charterers
Bulk carriers loading grain, rice, pulses, seeds and oilcake
General cargo vessels where a consignment has been flagged before sailing
Receivers requiring treatment before discharge at a UAE port

Cost

How vessel work is quoted

Quoted against the holds, the cargo and the vessel's schedule, agreed with the master and the agent before attendance.

The schedule is the constraint

Vessel work runs to the ship, not the other way round. Agreeing the sequence with the agent before the vessel berths is what keeps the cost predictable.

01Number and volume of holdsDosage is calculated against hold volume, commodity and temperature, so the volume treated sets the baseline.
02The cargoThe commodity and how it is stowed decide the exposure period and the monitoring required.
03In-transit or in-portTreatment carried out on passage and treatment alongside are different arrangements with different attendance requirements.
04Standby and clearanceGas-free confirmation by measurement before holds are entered is part of the service and part of the time.
05Port and berthWhere the vessel is, and what the local authority requires, affects attendance and documentation.

FAQ

Vessel questions

The questions customers ask most before booking this service. If yours is not covered, call or message and a technician will answer it.

Can fumigation be carried out in transit?

In many cases yes, with the exposure period running during the voyage and clearance carried out before arrival. The voyage plan and discharge port determine whether that is appropriate.

When can the holds be entered?

Only after ventilation and confirmed gas clearance, verified by measurement of the atmosphere itself. That confirmation is part of the service.

Which commodities need in-hold treatment?

Bulk grain, rice, pulses, seeds and oilcake are the common ones, because storage pests continue breeding through a voyage. The receiving country's requirement can also mandate it regardless of condition.

Do you attend at anchorage as well as alongside?

Attendance is arranged according to the vessel's position and the port's requirements. Tell us the berth or anchorage at enquiry and we will confirm what is possible.

What documentation is issued?

Treatment records and certification on completion, for the vessel, the agent and the receiver. We confirm what the discharge port expects before the job.

Summary

Key points

Storage pests keep breeding through a voyage, so condition at discharge differs from condition at loading.
Hold sealing determines whether the exposure is effective.
Entry is permitted only after gas clearance is confirmed by measurement.
Dosage is calculated against hold volume, commodity and temperature.
Work is scheduled against the vessel, not the other way round.
Quotation is free and confirmed in writing.

Other fumigation & marine services

Not sure which applies? Call +971 55 293 1860 and we will tell you.

Get a vessel fumigation quote

Send the vessel, berth, commodity and discharge port and we will confirm method, exposure and attendance.

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