In recent months three casualties have occurred involving vessels loaded with Chinese fluorspar carried from Hong Kong. Each of the vessels developed a severe list; In one instance the vessel was lost following capsize off Sri Lanka and in the second, the crew were forced to abandon the vessel which resulted in her grounding on the Chinese coast. The third "limped" into Immingham. In at least one case free water developed on the cargo surface during carriage.
It appears that shippers are providing cargo moisture content details but no information regarding the flow properties of the cargo. In the circumstances, owners/charterers intending to fix fluorspar from Hong Kong or other Chinese ports should exercise extreme caution and familiarise themselves fully with the relevant sections of the Bulk Code before agreeing to load/carry this commodity.
As described in Sections 7, 8 and Appendix A of the IMO Bulk Code, mineral cargoes which contain moisture and a proportion of fine particles can undergo liquefaction during ocean transport if shipped above a critical moisture point. The list of cargoes in Appendix A of the Bulk Code is not exhaustive and some forms of fluorspar are known to liquefy, thereby impairing the vessel's stability.
To prevent hazardous liquefaction occurring, the IMO Bulk Code requires the flow properties of subject cargoes to be tested and subsequently certified by shippers prior to loading. Cargo should not be loaded if moisture content exceeds the certified Transportable Moisture Limit.
With thanks to Paul Apostolis of Richards Butler, Hong Kong, for supplying this information.
If Members have any queries or concerns relating to the carriage of this cargo they should contact the Managers' London Representatives in the first instance.
Print this Page
Text Only