A Safety Bulletin by the Tokyo MoU focuses on the risks associated with the carriage of solid bulk cargoes and provides a summary of the steps operators must follow before accepting a cargo for shipment, explaining the responsibilities of the master and the shipper.
Under SOLAS74 Reg VI/2-1 compliance with the IMSBC Code is mandatory. The IMSBC Code has classified
solid bulk cargoes into three groups, according to the associated risks.
Group A: Cargoes likely to liquefy if shipped at a moisture content (MC) exceeding their transportable moisture limit (TML). / Risk: The liquefaction of the cargo can lead to shifting and thus affect stability.
Group B: Dangerous situations can occur when carrying cargoes having the chemical hazards described in section 9 of the IMSBC code./ Risk: Incorrect stowage and handling could result damage or loss of the ship as well as injury or death of crew members.
Group C: Other Cargoes that are neither liable to liquefy (Group A) nor have chemical hazards (Group B)/ Risk: If not properly loaded and transported, these cargoes may still have hazards other than liquefaction and chemical hazards (e.g. oxygen depletion, negative effects on stability and strength etc.)
- Make sure the contents of the shippers declaration, in particular the moisture content, are valid and in compliance with the requirements of the IMSBC Code. Do not accept the cargo if the moisture content is more than the TML.
- Continuous monitoring during loading. The master is responsible for the safety of the ship and should act if there appears to be a risk to safety. This includes stopping loading if there is evidence that suggest the moisture content of the cargo may exceed the TML.
- Take adequate measures to prevent any ingress of water in the holds during the loading and throughout the voyage.
- Ensure the trimming and leveling of the cargo is performed as per IMSBC recommendations
Shared responsibility between master and terminal representative
- Before a solid bulk cargo is loaded or unloaded, the master and the terminal representative shall agree on a plan which will ensure that permissible stresses on the ship are not exceeded taking into consideration factors such as rate of loading, rate of ballasting and deballasting, number of pours and all relevant parameters.
- The master has the right to suspend operation in case of deviation from the approved plan and the terminal representative shall ensure that corrective action is taken. References: SOLAS, Reg VI / 7.3, Reg VI / 7.4 and Reg VI / 7.5
Responsibility of the Shipper
- Ensure the cargo has been sampled and tested as required by Section 4.3 of the IMSBC Code.
- Test the cargo to determine if it has any chemical properties that would make it Group B, as appropriate.
- Ensure the cargo declaration and relevant test results are provided to the Master well in advance of loading.
- For Group A cargoes follow section 4.3 of the IMSBC Code:
- Have procedures for sampling and testing and controlling moisture content approved by the competent authority of the port of loading
- Provide the master with a signed certificate giving the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)
- Provide the Master with test results for determining TML
- Provide the Master with a signed declaration of the cargo moisture content
In a recent update, the Gard P&I Club has recently warned of the dangers associated with the liquefaction of chromite ore cargo originating from South Africa.
It is worth mentioning that the Tokyo MoU has also released more safety bulletins to raise awareness over important issues: read about the risks of lifting slings with plastic sheathing on freefall lifeboats here.
Also, click here to get informed about the risks of improperly rigged pilot ladders and read here about the emergency power testing risks.
EXPLORE MORE ABOUT THE SAFETY RISKS OF CARGOES
