These guidelines will assist the operating management of terminals and liquefied gas carriers in reviewing the design, engineering and operating procedures of cargo transfer systems. The information provided will enable users to:

- Recognise the potential hazards of surge pressure
- Understand the factors that affect or create surge pressures
- Avoid the generation of excessive surge pressures and momentum change
- Review the engineering and operating procedures of the cargo transfer system
- Understand aspects of surge pressure control on the other side of the ship/shore interface to enable mutual understanding of safe transfer procedures
- Understand the potential benefits of a linked ship/shore ESD system in mitigating surge pressures.