Loss Prevention bulletin by West of England P&I Club
The West of England P&I Club issued a Loss Prevention Bulletin on the carriage of soya beans in bulk which contains guidance on the characteristics of soya beans as well as the various precautionary measures that should be taken to help achieve a sound outturn of this cargo.
Although the Loss Prevention Bulletin has been prepared with the soya bean trade from South America to the Far East in mind, the key provisions also apply to shipments of soya beans in general.
This cargo must be carried in accordance with the requirements of the latest edition of the IMO International Convention for the Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk (the Grain Code).
Cargo Claims
Soya bean claims arising at the discharge port often involve allegations of deterioration and/or contamination. If correct, the condition of the cargo may have been affected by:
- Decomposition, self-heating, mould growth and/or caking due to the beans having an excessive moisture content
- Contamination with foreign matter prior to loading
- Contamination with the residues of previous cargoes, paint flakes and/or rust from the cargo holds
- Sweat (ie condensation) damage
- Water ingress from non-weathertight hatch covers, bilge lines and/or leaking ballast tanks
- Heat damage to cargo in the vicinity of the engine room bulkhead and/or tanks containing hot fuel oil
- Insect infestation
Given the potential for damage and shortage claims, Members may wish to consider appointing a cargo surveyor to attend the vessel during loading and discharge operations to protect their interests.
Moisture Content and Cargo Deterioration
Soya beans are normally harvested after the beans have matured and the plant foliage has dried. They can be loaded soon after being harvested providing they have been dried to a safe storage moisture content. Soya beans can be storedfor a significant length of time under appropriate conditions, although fixtures involving the carriage of beans harvested in earlier years should be avoided if possible to minimise the risk of cargo deterioration. However, even crops harvested in the year of shipment may deteriorate once on board if stored for a prolonged period beforehand.
Loading
The cargo holds should be prepared to the grain clean/high cleanliness standard. Charterers and/or cargo interests should also be consulted in case they have any particular hold preparation requirements. In all cases the holds should be thoroughly cleaned to remove any residues of previous cargo, loose rust scale, paint flakes, paint blisters, infestation and any other foreign matter. The holds should then be washed, carrying out a final rinse with fresh water to remove all traces of chlorides. Prior to loading the holds should be completely dry and odour free.
Carriage
Mechanical rather than natural ventilation of the holds is generally preferable for achieving efficient air circulation. However, as with any agricultural product shipped in bulk, air will fail to penetrate the body of the stow regardless of which method is used.
If it is intended to ventilate the cargo in accordance with the Three Degree Rule during the voyage, then the average temperature of the sub-surface cargo should be established after the completion of loading.
For more information on the carriage of soya beans in bulk, please read West of England’s Club Loss Prevention Bulletin:
Source:West of England P&I Club
