Published Jun 9, 2021 4:24 PM by Philip Teoh Some bulk cargoes

The Risk of Cargo Liquefaction

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2021-06-10 00:30:05

Published Jun 9, 2021 4:24 PM by Philip Teoh

Some bulk cargoes can cause cargo liquefaction if the moisture content exceeds a certain level. Cargo liquefaction occurs when dry bulk cargoes with high moisture content start to behave like liquids when the ship is moving. Such cargoes shift rapidly in the holds of a ship, resulting in free surface effect, making the ship unstable and potentially causing it to capsize.

This arises if the shippers do not comply with the testing and certification requirements that are required under SOLAS and the IMSBC Code 2009 [1] and designed to ensure that cargoes are loaded only if the moisture content is sufficiently low to avoid liquefaction occurring during the voyage [2].

Iron and other mineral ore as well as bauxite cargoes which are left in the open prior to shipment are subject to rain and weather conditions, which can increase the moisture content to dangerous levels. These problems related to wet cargo and moisture content particularly worsen during regional wet seasons. In cargoes loaded with a moisture content in excess of the Flow Moisture Point (FMP), liquefaction may occur unpredictably at any time during the voyage [3].