In reference to accidental oil pollution, when is the most critical time during loading?

The final topping off is a critical phase during loading because it involves filling the tanks to their maximum capacity, leaving limited room for additional volume fluctuation. This stage carries a heightened risk of overflow or spillage if not carefully monitored. The nature of oil loading means that as tanks reach full capacity, the potential for displacement increases due to factors like thermal expansion or minor inaccuracies in measurement.

Attention during this phase is imperative, as even small amounts of overfilling can result in significant pollution if oil spills into the surrounding environment. Operators must be particularly vigilant, ensuring that all safety protocols are followed, such as using high-level alarms and monitoring equipment, to mitigate the risk of accidental discharge.

Other phases, such as pre-loading preparation or the first loading phase, while important, do not carry the same immediate risk of spillage as the final topping off, where the actual risk of oil pollution is most pronounced due to the sensitive nature of reaching full capacity.