Bulk ship owners warn of liquefied ore cargoes
Intercargo, the organization for owners of dry bulk ships, is issuing an alarm about carrying nickel ore and iron ore fines cargoes after three sinkings of ships carrying nickel ore in 39 days has resulted in 44 seafarers dying.
Intercargo said last week it informed the Maritime Safety Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) about what it feels are the unacceptable hazards associated with iron ore fines loaded in wet weather conditions and nickel ore, A quick perusal of the Internet finds varying definitions of the exact size of fines, but they are cargoes consisting of small particles of ore.
Intercargo is calling on shippers and cargo interests to conduct an urgent review into the testing and safety processes involved in shipping the cargoes, which are used in the steel industry and are exported from a number of countries including India, Indonesia and the Philippines.
At the same time, it has also called on ship owners to consider the risks associated with these cargoes — known officially as 'cargoes which may liquefy,' and for governments and authorities to recheck safety processes at loading ports before accepting the cargoes.
'We know that all ship owners of quality care about the safety of their seafarers and what has occurred in the last 39 days is completely unacceptable' says Rob Lomas, Secretary General of Intercargo.
Intercargo said three ships have sunk since in recent weeks:
' Jian Fu Star on Oct. 27, resulting in 13 deaths.
' Nasco Diamond on Nov. 10, 21 deaths.
' Hong Wei on Dec. 3, 10 deaths.
The organization said all three ships were reportedly carrying nickel ore loaded in Indonesia and bound for China for use in its steel industry. All three ships were Panamanian-flag vessels operated and manned by Chinese and sank broadly in the same location.
Intercargo said cargoes “which may liquefy are loaded into bulk carriers, but if not properly tested and certificated, may move as a slurry or a liquid if their moisture content is too great, causing stability problems, listing and eventual capsize.”
Lomas said Intercargo has forewarned members about the cargoes and “has been very surprised to learn from owners that the rudimentary loading conditions in some of the exporting countries may have contributed to accidents.'
'We know that many companies refuse to accept these cargoes because they are either not loaded in accordance with the international standards contained in the IMO International Maritime Solid Bulk Code (IMSBC) Code or when masters sense that the testing and certification processes aimed at determining the moisture content of the cargo being offered for shipment lacks credibility. Masters have refused cargoes which appear to be highly suspect in terms of their moisture content vis-'-vis their shippers declaration certificate or where masters have been refused their right to use an independent third party cargo surveyor.
'Sadly, some ship owners may not have the relevant experience or knowledge in interpreting the IMSBC Code and may accept cargoes which are unsafe. But we need to receive the reassurances of the competent authorities in the exporting countries that their procedures and processes have integrity and transparency so that this message is received and most importantly, believed by the ship owners. Competent Authorities are key to ensuring that seafarer's lives are not put in peril.”
In May the U.K. P&I Club said, “the trade in iron ore fines from India is continuing to increase and the demand from China is likely to persist for at least the foreseeable future.”
It has warned member of “serious risks that can be associated with the carriage of iron ore fines loaded at Indian ports. Last year there were reports of two vessels that had capsized after loading Indian iron ore fines, and the club has been involved with a number of cases, two of which could have had serious consequences, involving this commodity.”
It also cautioned that some of its members are being ordered to load iron ore lumps and iron ore lumps/fines at Indian ports.
“Iron ore lumps should present no liquefaction problems providing that they are actually lumps. However mixed lumps and fines do present a problem as the fines content could liquefy,” it said.
The U.K. P&I Club said if members were ordered to load iron ore lumps or iron ore lumps and fines that they should notify the club so it could appoint surveyors to inspect and test, if necessary, the cargo before loading. ' Chris Dupin
Bulk ship owners warn of liquefied ore cargoes
