In order to inform crewmembers, Marshall Islands published an advisory highlighting regulations and recommendations from recent casualty investigation reports for cargoes presented for shipment as a Group C, Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer (non-hazardous).
The advisory calls all stakeholders responsible for the safe shipment of these products to be aware of the importance of declaring the product properly, ensuring effective monitoring while on voyage and following the emergency procedures in case of a perceived chemical reaction.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
Namely, the three individual Schedules for ANBF referenced with their formal Bulk Cargo Shipping Names in the 2018 edition of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC) are:
- Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizers UN 2067
- Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizers UN 2071
- Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizers (non-hazardous).
Of these, the first two are defined as Group B, as they have a chemical hazard which could lead to a dangerous situation on board a ship.
The “non-hazardous” third one is defined as Group C cargo defined as neither liable to liquefy nor to possess chemical hazards. However, the term “non-hazardous” can potentially be misleading. For this reason, all concerned must the understand emergency procedures quoted in the IMSBC Code for the actual ANBF schedule presented for shipment. In addition, they should read carefully the shipper or manufacturer originated documentation, that the correct cargo schedule is applied and that, for example, a Group C cargo is not in fact, a Group B cargo.
To ensure compliance, Marshall Islands called operators to do the following steps:
- Correct Declaration: Does the shipper or manufacturer originated documentation align with the description given in IMSBC Code schedule? If not, confirm with the shipper the correct schedule to be applied to the cargo including but not limited to, if the cargo should be carried under Group B arrangements.
- Electrical: Does the crew know that ABNF cargoes may decompose and give off toxic gases under certain conditions, such as near to sustained heat sources? Is all electrical equipment safe and in compliance with the Annex to the list of equipment in the ship’s Document of Compliance? Are power sources appropriately disconnected in accordance with the IMSBC Code when the cargo is on board?
- Monitoring: Are cargo temperatures regularly monitored and properly recorded? Before loading, was the cargo hold clean and dry? Are the stowage and segregation requirements met?
- Emergency actions: If temperatures are high, does the crew know that according to the IMSBC Code Emergency Procedures, CO2 systems will not work, and that numerous quantities of water and maximum ventilation will be required? Access to the cargo should not be obstructed by any other cargo arrangements, such as break-bulk cargo preventing easy access.
- No hot work: Hot work restrictions apply. No bunkering in accordance with IMSBC Code requirements.
- Test results: Requesting any relevant test results for the cargo presented for shipment, noting any appropriate UN Test results obtained, details of whether the cargo has been independently tested and the composition details of the cargo presented for shipment.
