Tag: Gard Club

Cargo liquefaction problems The Gard P&I Club has issued a Loss Prevention Circular about problems with sinter feed cargoes loaded from Brazil.Several Members have reported problems with sinter feed cargoes loaded from Brazil.The ports of Ponta da Madeira and Santana have featured most prominently thus far.Sinter Feed and liquefaction Sinter feed is an iron concentrate containing fine particles and moisture and, being similarto iron ore fines,"1 is at risk of liquefaction, resulting in cargo shift and loss of stability.Liquefaction is believed to have resulted in a number of casualties, causing the loss of many seafarers' lives. This year two International Group Member Circulars2 have been issued,alerting Members to the dangers of liquefaction and the precautions to be taken,specifically with reference to iron ore fines and nickel ore.ProblemsThe Association is aware of at least one case where shippers have declared sinter feed as a Group C cargo (not liable to liquefy) under the IMSBC Code.This is in clear contravention of the Code since sinter feed is classed as a Group A cargo (under the group entry "Mineral concentrates") which may liquefy if shipped at a moisture content in excess of its Transportable Moisture Limit ("TML"), and defined in the Code as ...

The lower Mississippi river is currently at high water levels SituationThe Lower Mississippi River is currently at high water river levels in New Orleans and Baton Rouge areas and is predicted to continue rising. Beginning 9 May 2011, the USCG placed restrictions on vessel traffic entering or exiting the Lower Mississippi River.Information Currently AvailableMarine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs)providing safety and operational advice for mariners and facilities in the area are being issued by the Coast Guard on a continuous basis and can be found via their website:http://homeport.uscg.mil.( > Port Directory (= New Orleans) > Waterways Management> Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIB))As at 12 May 2011, reference is in particular made to the following MSIBs: Issue 43: High water safety advisory; Safety zone at LMR MM225 to MM 240 (9 May 2011) Issue 47: Waterway high water safety advisory; Damage to Levees and Revetments (11 May 2011)The Coast Guard has begun circulating an MSIB (Issue 44 dated 10 May 2011) to all facilities along the river, its purpose being to gather information on whether or not the facility plans to cease operations. An updated compiled list can be achieved from the Coast Guard and also via their website: http://homeport.uscg.mil ( > ...

Fuel Quality Introduction and background Gard is frequently involved with machinery damage/claims related to fuel quality. The purpose of this circular is to emphasise the importance of the fuel ordering, delivery procedures, bunker delivery receipts and bunkering samples including the correct procedures for taking and handling of the samples.Reducing the riskTo reduce or minimise the risk of claims arising or breakdown of machinery, there are some main issues to be aware of when handling bunkers. Fuel sampling and analysis is essential for verification of the quality of the fuel received onboard. Procedures and instructions should be established within the technical or operational departments to ensure correct sampling and stating where the samples should be sent for analysis. It is important to ensure that the engineers on board and technical staff ashore understand the results of the analysis and the limitations of their equipment. It is important that the quantity of the sample is large enough for the appropriate analysis to be undertaken. Always be selective when selecting fuel supplier. Order fuel to the desired ISO grade, and describe the required grade in the charterparty as well as in the request to the supplier. Take samples at the time of delivery ...

Emphasise the importance of the fuel ordering Introduction and backgroundGard is frequently involved with machinery damage/claims related to fuel quality. The purpose of this circular is to emphasise the importance of the fuel ordering, delivery procedures, bunker delivery receipts and bunkering samples including the correct procedures for taking and handling of the samples.Reducing the riskTo reduce or minimise the risk of claims arising or breakdown of machinery, there are some main issues to be aware of when handling bunkers. Fuel sampling and analysis is essential for verification of the quality of the fuel received onboard. Procedures and instructions should be established within the technical or operational departments to ensure correct sampling and stating where the samples should be sent for analysis. It is important to ensure that the engineers on board and technical staff ashore understand the results of the analysis and the limitations of their equipment. It is important that the quantity of the sample is large enough for the appropriate analysis to be undertaken. Always be selective when selecting fuel supplier. Order fuel to the desired ISO grade, and describe the required grade in the charterparty as well as in the request to the supplier. Take samples at ...