With Indonesia’s export restrictions on nickel ore and a recent decline in exports from the Philippines, shipping activity for nickel ore to the South Pacific islands, including the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia, has increased. The Skuld P&I Club notes in a recent update the urgent need for rigorous risk assessment and proper loading procedures in the region following a recent liquefaction incident.
The Solomon Islands, near the equator, have a tropical climate with heavy rainfall nearly every month. This can cause cargo to retain water when exposed to rain, increasing the risk of liquefaction.
Loading nickel ore in the Solomon Islands requires careful attention to detail and proactive risk management
…the Skuld Club said, hightling the following practical recommendations:
- Preloading survey: Notify Skuld to arrange an onsite physical preloading survey. If this is not possible, a remote survey must be conducted.
- Reject wet cargo: Any cargo that appears soft, wet, or sticky should be rejected. If water is detected during loading, operations must stop immediately.
- Modified can test methodology: The crew should follow a specific can test procedure to assess cargo saturation, which includes:
– Selecting representative samples from a depth of approximately 500 mm on the barge.
– Performing an oven-dry test to determine and compare the moisture content of the cargo with the MC/TML certificates.
– Conducting a can test, meticulously recording the results, and documenting any changes in density or moisture during excavation.
– Conducting a grab test and inspecting the cargo in each hold; any signs of splattering or slumping would indicate that the cargo is unacceptable. - Direct communication: Establish direct communication between the master, crew, and surveyors to ensure timely and accurate reporting of conditions.
