How to carry bulk cargoes safely?

When bulk cargoes shift, liquefy, catch fire or explode due to poor loading procedures, the consequences can be critical – ships could capsize, lose stability or sustain severe structural damage. Occasioned by this kind of incidents the UK P&I Club has offered some good advice regarding the safe carrying of bulk cargoes.

According to the Club, precautions need to be taken before accepting solid bulk cargoes for shipment. Crew members have to be warned of possible liquefaction properties of bauxite (which was considered until recently a cargo not liable to liquefaction) as well as be advised on the issue of cargo residues deemed harmful to the marine environment; the changes to the IMSBC Code’s structure; and SOLAS mandatory enclosed space entry and rescue drills.
IMO Resolution MSC.393(95) introduced amendments (03-15) to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code enter into force on 1 January, 2017, and could be implemented voluntarily from 1 January, 2016.

“Carrying solid bulk cargoes safely: Guidance for crews on the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code” guide jointly produced by Lloyd’s Register, UK P&I Club, and Intercargo provides details on the IMSBC Code’s key requirements and gives crew members greater confidence in managing the risks of carrying solid bulk cargoes and achieving compliance with SOLAS.
Sam James, Lloyd’s Register’s Head of Regulatory Affairs, said the guide is extremely useful to crew members as an aide memoire:

“Since the release of the original guide in 2013, it has heightened the awareness of seafarers, managers, charterers and shippers to the hazards associated with carrying solid bulk cargoes.

Stuart Edmonston, Loss Prevention Director at UK P&I Club, added:

“The main purpose of the guide is to provide on-the-spot references to help in practical situations.”