Introduction – What You Think Happens vs What Really Happens During TTT
Most buyers, mandates and even many “traders” imagine Tank-to-Tank (TTT) as something very simple:
“Product is in seller’s tank → we do DTA → SGS → pump to buyer’s tank → title transfer → done.”
In reality, a TTT operation inside a tank farm is a complex industrial process involving:
Terminal engineering
Metering and custody-transfer systems
Pumping stations and manifolds
Safety systems (overfill, vapour control, ATEX)
SCADA / automation and HSE procedures
If you don’t understand what happens physically inside the tank farm, you can’t:
Read a real TSA, DTA or Q&Q correctly
Negotiate realistic TTT timelines
Detect fraud in fake TSAs / tank numbers
Protect your buyer or seller position during EN590 / Jet A1 transactions
This guide walks you step-by-step through what actually happens inside a terminal during a TTT:
From tank nomination
To line-up
To pumping, metering, Q&Q, reconciliation and title transfer
SECTION 1 – The Industry Context: What a Tank Farm Really Is in a TTT Deal
1.1 Tank Farm = Industrial Custody-Transfer Hub, Not Just “Storage”
A modern tank farm (Rotterdam, Houston, Fujairah, Jurong, etc.) is an integrated system of:
Storage tanks (fixed-roof, floating-roof, internal floating)
Manifolds and pipelines connecting tanks, jetties, rail and truck bays
Metering & custody-transfer systems (flow meters, provers, density meters)
Pumping stations with multiple pumps in parallel/series
Instrumentation & automation: level gauges, temperature sensors, pressure, alarms, SCADA/PLC control
Safety systems: overfill protection (SIL2/3), ESD valves, foam systems, fire-water rings, gas detection
During a TTT, the tank farm is responsible for:
Safe and clean transfer of product from one tank to another
Maintaining quality (no contamination, correct temperature, correct density)
Accurate quantity measurement for commercial settlement
Generating the terminal documentation used in POP / title transfer
1.2 Why TTT Is Used in EN590 & Jet A1 Deals
Common reasons:
Buyer wants product already in port (Rotterdam, Fujairah, Jurong)
Seller holds shore tank allocation but not vessel
Buyer prefers to take over tank and then ship later
Logistic optimisation – large parcels pumped into buyer’s multiple tanks
Financing – product in tank can be used as collateral with banks
This is why you see so many offers “EN590 10ppm – TTT Rotterdam” or “Jet A1 TTT Fujairah”.
1.3 Key Documents Around the Tank Farm in a TTT
TSA – Tank Storage Agreement (between tank farm & tank holder)
DTA – Dip Test Authorization (permission for SGS to enter the tank)
DIP / Q&Q – Quantity & Quality inspection reports (SGS / Saybolt / Intertek)
ULLAGE report – available capacity in tank
Pump-over report – operational record of transfer
Stock report / Terminal stock statement – quantity on hand
Terminal out-turn report – final quantity after TTT
Understanding these is essential to detect fake TSAs, fake DTA or recycled SGS.
SECTION 2 – What Actually Happens Inside the Tank Farm During TTT (Technical A-Z)
We now go inside the fence and follow the product.
2.1 Pre-Operation: Engineering & Safety Checks
Before any pump moves:
Tank nomination & compatibility check
Terminal checks that source and destination tanks hold compatible products (EN590 with EN590, Jet A1 with Jet A1).
Line-up study
Engineers confirm which pipeline segments, valves and manifolds will be used.
They ensure no “dead legs” or cross-connections with incompatible products.
Overfill & level verification
Source tank: enough product above minimum pumpable level.
Destination tank: sufficient ullage; high-level alarms tested.
HSE & permit-to-work
Hot work is restricted; ESD paths checked; firefighting systems on standby.
2.2 Tank Gauging and Initial Q&Q – Before TTT Starts
Independent inspector (SGS / Saybolt / Intertek):
Measures level (ullage or innage) and converts to volume using tank calibration tables.
Applies temperature correction to standard reference (e.g. 15°C).
Takes top / middle / bottom samples for quality: density, flashpoint, sulfur, water, colour, contamination.
These results form the “opening stock” for the seller and are key to POP / title.
2.3 Pipeline Flushing & Line Displacement
Before pumping product from Tank A to Tank B:
The selected pipeline is drained or displaced to avoid mixing with previous product.
In some terminals, a “pig” (pipeline cleaning device) may be used to push old product out.
A small quantity may be routed to a slops tank if contamination risk exists.
Goal: when pump starts, the line already contains clean, correct product.
2.4 Pumping Operation – What the Pumps Actually Do
Pumps (centrifugal or positive displacement) are started gradually:
Start-up sequence:
Open suction valve
Start pump
Open discharge valve slowly
Monitor pressure & flow
Pump performance is monitored via:
Flow rate (m³/h or tonnes/h)
Suction/discharge pressure
Power consumption
Flow is controlled either by variable speed drive or by control valves on the discharge side.
If EN590 is temperature-sensitive, heating coils may keep tank within spec.
2.5 Custody Transfer Metering – Where the Commercial Quantity Is Fixed
Between the tanks, product passes through metering skids that include:
Turbine or Coriolis flow meters
Temperature & density transmitters
Pulse outputs to flow computers
A prover for meter calibration
The flow computer calculates:
Net Standard Volume and/or Mass
= Volume × density × temperature correction factors
This value becomes the official TTT quantity used for invoicing and for MT103 settlement.
2.6 Line Packing, Stripping and Shutdown
As the TTT approaches target quantity:
Operators reduce flow to avoid overshoot.
When transfer ends:
Pump stopped
Valves closed in pre-defined sequence
Lines may be stripped (remaining product pumped into receiving tank or slops).
Final pressure checks ensure no trapped over-pressure.
All actions are recorded in the pump-over log.
2.7 Final Tank Gauging & Q&Q – After TTT
Inspector performs:
Closing gauge of source tank (to confirm volume removed).
Closing gauge of receiving tank (to confirm volume received).
Checks loss/gain (usually very small; larger discrepancies trigger investigation).
May take new samples from receiving tank to confirm product meets spec.
Results are issued as:
Final Q&Q report
Out-turn report
Tank stock statement
These documents support title transfer, SPA annexes and POP completion.
2.8 SCADA, Automation & Alarms – The Invisible Layer
Behind everything is the terminal’s SCADA/PLC system, which:
Monitors tank levels, flows, temperatures and alarms in real time.
Provides operator screens for pipeline line-ups.
Triggers ESD (Emergency Shut-Down) if:
High-high level
Leak detection
Fire/gas alarm
Pump trip
For institutional buyers and sellers, this is the unseen technology that guarantees safety, accuracy and compliance.
SECTION 3 – NNRV Professional Analysis: Commercial & Compliance Risks Inside a TTT
3.1 Where Deals Fail vs Where Engineering Succeeds
Engineering inside the tank farm is usually excellent.
Deals fail because commercial actors don’t understand what the terminal can or cannot do:
Unrealistic timelines for DTA, SGS, and pump-over
Buyers expecting POP before any tank nomination
Sellers promising TTT without real TSA or line capacity
Fake TSAs and recycled tank numbers not recognized by the terminal
3.2 Common Buyer Errors
Thinking “DTA = product is mine” – in reality, DTA is just authorization to test.
Believing “my tank must be in the same terminal” – in practice, TTT can involve different terminals connected by pipelines, subject to agreement.
Underestimating line-up time – sometimes 1–3 days to schedule.
Ignoring contamination risk when insisting on last-minute procedural changes.
3.3 Common Seller Errors
Offering TTT with no confirmed TSA or tank allocation.
Not understanding terminal constraints when committing to TTT quantity.
Under-communicating about operational windows, maintenance shutdowns, jetty occupancy, etc.
Sharing fake or redacted terminal documents that don’t match reality.
3.4 Compliance & AML Inside the Tank Farm
Terminals themselves perform:
KYC on tank-holding companies
Sanctions screening against ships, companies and UBOs
Audit trails of every transfer and meter ticket
Any mismatch between documentation and tank farm reality results in:
Delayed operations
Reported suspicious activity
Potential rejection of buyer or seller
NNRV’s role is to align commercial procedure with terminal reality so nothing breaks at the gate.
SECTION 4 – TTT Process Step-by-Step (From DTA to Title Transfer)
Below is a standardized institutional sequence for EN590/Jet A1 TTT in Rotterdam/Fujairah/Jurong.
Day 1–3: Documentation & Scheduling
Buyer & seller sign SPA / TTT annex (including tank farm and Incoterm).
Tank farm confirms TSA in seller’s name + slot availability.
Buyer’s tank (or buyer-designated tank) accepted by terminal.
DTA issued – authorizing independent inspector to access seller tank.
Day 3–5: DIP Test & Opening Q&Q
Inspector performs DIP test + opening Q&Q on seller tank.
Results shared with parties; if product off-spec, operation halted.
Upon acceptance, POF is activated as per SPA (e.g. MT799 or SBLC).
Day 5–7: TTT Pump-Over
Terminal performs line-up and safety checks.
Pumps start – TTT from seller tank → buyer tank via metering skid.
Flow monitored; any abnormal readings trigger investigation.
Day 7–8: Closing Gauges & Commercial Reconciliation
Inspector performs closing gauges on both tanks.
Metered quantity vs gauged quantity reconciled (loss/gain tolerance).
Terminal issues pump-over and out-turn reports.
Day 8–10: Title & Payment
Title passes as per SPA (often at completion of TTT + Q&Q acceptance).
Commercial invoice issued for final quantity.
Buyer pays via MT103 or as per LC terms.
Buyer now holds product in own tank; free to load vessel or resell in-tank.
SECTION 5 – Questions & Doubts of Clients (20 Key Q&A)
10 Questions Buyers Ask
“Is TTT faster than FOB?”
“Can I see tank number before signing SPA?”
“Who chooses the terminal – buyer or seller?”
“If SGS passes, am I guaranteed title?”
“What is the real difference between TSA and DTA?”
“Can TTT be done while my LC is still being set up?”
“Who pays the terminal fees during TTT?”
“What if there is loss/gain between metered and gauged quantity?”
“Can we perform TTT between two countries’ ports?”
“Can NNRV supervise the whole operation for me?”
10 Questions Sellers Ask
“How do I prove to the buyer that my tank is real without exposing it to fraud?”
“What happens if the buyer’s tank isn’t ready on the TTT date?”
“Can the terminal refuse to perform TTT even if TSA is signed?”
“How is contamination risk managed between batches?”
“How do I handle line losses and explain them commercially?”
“Can I use the same tank for multiple buyers?”
“When should I release POP relative to TTT?”
“Who signs the pump-over report – seller, buyer, or both?”
“Can I structure TTT as collateral with my bank?”
“Can NNRV help me align my SPA with terminal constraints?”
SECTION 6 – Proof & Credibility: Why This Is the Real Way TTT Works
Major global terminal operators (Vopak, Oiltanking, VTTI, Kruse Storage, HTS, etc.) all emphasize automation, safety and accurate metering as the core of tank farm operations.
Tank farm automation solutions focus on SCADA, overfill protection, functional safety and inventory monitoring, confirming the importance of these systems in every transfer.
Independent inspection companies describe shore tank inspections, level gauging and Q&Q sampling as standard procedures before and after transfers.
Case studies on contamination prevention highlight rigorous pipeline line-up and valve management to ensure only correct product enters the receiving tank.
In short: what you see in this guide is how real terminals actually operate – not WhatsApp myth.
SECTION 7 – Institutional Call to Action (CTA)
📌 Need a Real TTT Structuring Partner Who Understands the Tank Farm, Not Just the Paperwork?
NNRV Trade Partners bridges the gap between:
Commercial SPA, TSA, DTA, POP
And the technical reality of what terminals can execute safely
We provide:
Technical review of TTT clauses in your SPA
Verification of TSA / tank farm credentials
Engineering-aware timelines for DTA, SGS, pumping and reconciliation
Coordination with inspectors and terminal operations
Risk mapping (contamination, losses, overfill, delay)
Support for EN590, Jet A1 and other refined products in Rotterdam, Fujairah, Jurong, Houston and other major hubs
📩 info@nnrvtradepartners.com
🌐 www.nnrvtradepartners.com
Mini FAQ (5 Focused Questions)
Is TTT always safer than FOB?
Not always. It is safer for verification & control if done in a top-tier terminal, but you still need proper documentation, POP sequence and insurance.Can TTT be done without a TSA?
No. Without a valid TSA in the seller’s name (or allocant’s name), the terminal cannot legally host the product, let alone pump it.Who legally owns the product during TTT?
Unless SPA says otherwise, title remains with the seller until the agreed title-transfer point – often at completion of TTT and Q&Q acceptance.Can TTT be used just for “testing” a seller?
Real terminals do not operate for “tests.” Every TTT is a real commercial operation with full costs and liabilities.Can NNRV help design a standard TTT procedure for my company?
Yes. We can help you draft a standard TTT annex for all your SPAs, aligned with terminal practice and bank requirements.
Why Choose NNRV Trade Partners?
Deep trade-finance & engineering understanding – we speak both bank and terminal.
Global terminal network across Rotterdam, Houston, Fujairah, Jurong and other key hubs.
Compliance-first approach – aligned with ICC Incoterms, FATF AML, Basel III and port/terminal regulations.
End-to-end protection – from SPA and IMFPA to TSA, DTA, Q&Q, POP and MT103.
Zero-tolerance to fraud – every tank, terminal and seller channel is verified.
