Explosion-Proof Camera Systems for Oil Tankers & Marine Vessels

Oil tankers, FPSO vessels, and offshore platforms require ATEX- and IECEx-certified explosion-proof cameras for all equipment installed in cargo areas, on the main deck, and in enclosed machinery spaces classified as hazardous. The combination of hydrocarbon vapor, salt-air corrosion, wave immersion, vessel motion, and international maritime regulatory requirements makes marine hazardous area camera specification one of the most technically demanding application categories.

Veilux supplies explosion-proof camera systems to tanker operators, offshore contractors, and shipyards building or retrofitting vessels to ATEX/IECEx and OCIMF/SIRE standards. Our marine-experienced applications engineers understand flag state certification requirements, classification society rules, and SOLAS chapter II-2 obligations for pumproom monitoring and cargo deck surveillance.

Zone Classification on Oil Tankers

Tanker hazardous areas are classified per IEC 60092-502 and IEC 60079-10-1:

• Zone 1 (ATEX Category 2G): Entire cargo deck, within 3 meters of all tank openings, cargo manifold areas, enclosed pumproom. Requires explosion-proof (Ex d) equipment.
• Zone 2 (ATEX Category 3G): Extended deck perimeter beyond Zone 1 boundaries, spaces above the cargo deck to 2.4 meters. Zone 1 equipment is acceptable here and preferred for operational simplicity.

ATEX Category 2G / IECEx EPL Gb is the standard certification for all tanker cargo area cameras. North American flagged vessels use equivalent NEC Class I Division 1 ratings.

Key Surveillance Zones on Tankers

• Cargo deck and manifold area: Fixed cameras at each cargo manifold connection, plus PTZ cameras on elevated bridge wing positions for full-deck overview during cargo operations
• Enclosed pumproom: Minimum two cameras per SOLAS and OCIMF MEG4 guidance — overview of pump deck and cofferdam hatch/ladder. IP67 and anti-vibration mounts required.
• Bow and stern mooring stations: Fixed cameras for mooring operations safety monitoring and port security (ISPS Code compliance)
• Engine room and machinery spaces: Standard marine IP cameras (non-Ex) acceptable in non-classified machinery spaces; Zone 2 equipment for purifier rooms and fuel handling areas

Environmental Specifications for Marine Use

• 316L stainless steel or GRP (fiberglass) housings for cargo deck — aluminum corrodes in salt-air conditions within 2-3 years
• IP67 minimum; IP68 for cameras forward of amidships subject to wave wash
• IEC 60068-2-6 vibration tested for pumproom installations
• Operating temperature: -40 to +60 C for Arctic and Persian Gulf operations

Related Guides

• Explosion-Proof Camera Placement on Oil Tankers: Zone-by-Zone Guide
• Explosion-Proof Cameras on FPSO and Offshore Platforms
• ATEX vs. IECEx Certifications for Marine Installations
• Complete Guide to Explosion-Proof Cameras