Tag: nickel ore

The bulk carrier M/V Emerald Star that sank in the Philippine Sea last week, with the loss of 10 crew members, is believed to have been carrying a cargo of nickel ore at the time, although it is too early to say whether the cargo played any role in the ship’s sinking, the UK Club announced.

The West of England P&I Club reminds of the mandatory notification requirements regarding the dangers of carrying nickel ore from Indonesia and the Philippines  to highlight once more the related safety measures in compliance with the IMSBC Code requirements. The Club further covers related implications and it informs that all operators are to be provided with information on measures available to mitigate these risks, even if they cannot be entirely excluded.

BIMCO has issued a cargo alert to its members to advise that loading of nickel ore from Philippines still poses danger. Therefore, best practices should be taken into consideration to prevent liquefaction incidents. Nickel ore is listed in the IMSBC Code as a Group A cargo that may liquefy.

In this article, Mr. John Wilson, Technical Services Asia, American P&I Club (Hong Kong Office), explains why nickel ore is considered as ‘the world’s most dangerous cargo'.

The UK P&I Club announced latest updates concerning the risks in transporting nickel ore from the Philippines as Embassies imposed strict travel warnings. At present shippers/mines are not allowing any access to nickel ore facilities in the Southern region of the Philippines, Mindanao, following a recent bomb attack in local market.

During rainy season from November to April in the Philippines, Japan P&I Club advises to take more precautious measures regarding the carriage of wet Nickel Ore Cargoes in bulk from Surigao, Philippines, as it can liquefy with catastrophic results.

The issue of safe carriage of laterite nickel ore has attracted attention of international society. A latest judgment of Chinese court shows that the IMSBC Code shall be applicable to the safe carriage of the laterite nickel ore.

The London P&I Club has issued news alert to inform that their Correspondent in the Philippines, Pandiman Philippines Inc, reports that there have been some problems arising out of a nickel ore cargo being offered for shipment from a port which is not near to a nickel ore mine.

The Japan P&I Club informs that the Chinese Supreme Court rendered its Civil Order in December 2015 confirming that it was justifiable under the contract of carriage for a vessel to deviate in order to check the safety of the cargo and carry out sun-drying operations, further to the liquefaction of a cargo of nickel ore.

The UK P&I Club has reported a case which highlights the importance of considering innovative solutions and the exercise of prompt and decisive action in reaching the best possible outcome. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of combining the Club expertise, in both the Singapore and London offices with that of the appointed consultants and surveyors.