Petroleum cargo tanks should not be topped off at deck level when loading on a cold day due to which of the following?

Correct Answer: Option B — a subsequent temperature rise will cause the cargo to overflow

Petroleum products expand significantly as their temperature increases. Loading cold oil completely to deck level leaves no void space for thermal expansion. If ambient or sea temperatures subsequently rise during the voyage, the expanding liquid cargo will exceed the available volume of the tank, causing a hazardous overflow onto the deck.