This is the definitive Guide to the safe carriage and handling of crude oil and petroleum products on tankers and at terminals. ISGOTT was first published in 1978 and combined the contents of the 'Tanker Safety Guide (Petroleum)', published by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and the 'International Oil Tanker and Terminal Safety Guide', by the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF). In producing this Fifth Edition, the content has again been reviewed by these ICS and OCIMF, together with the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), to ensure that it continues to reflect current best practice and legislation. This edition also takes account of recent changes in recommended operating procedures, particularly those prompted by the introduction of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which became mandatory for tankers on 1st July 1998. The Guide provides operational advice to directly assist personnel involved in tanker and terminal operations, including guidance on, and examples of, certain aspects of tanker and terminal operations and how they may be managed. It s is NOT a definitive description of how tanker and terminal operations are conducted. It is a general industry recommendation that a copy of ISGOTT is kept and used onboard every tanker and in every terminal so that there is a consistent approach to operational procedures and shared responsibilities for operations at the ship/shore interface.