IMSML Website Article 47/2024: Resolution MSC.539(107) - Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code (PART 7 of 7), THE APPENDICES

Appendix 1 - Individual Schedules of Solid Bulk Cargoes

The names of the various cargoes / subject-matter / chemicals are arranged in alphabetical order. The schedule starts from Alfalfa to Alumina (see Annex 9, p 55), and goes all the way to Zircon Kyanite Concentrate to Zirconsand (see Annex 9, p 476). For each, sub-headings of the following information are listed:

[1] Description;

[2] Characteristics;

[3] Hazard;

[4] Stowage and segregation;

[5] Hold cleanliness;

[6] Weather precautions;

[7] Loading;

[8] Precautions;

[9] Ventilation;

[10] Carriage;

[11] Discharge;

[12] Clean-up.

Appendix 2 - Laboratory Test Procedures, Associated Apparatus and Standards

1 - Test Procedures for Materials which may Liquefy or Undergo Dynamic Separation and Associated Apparatus

6 methods of testing for the transportable moisture limit are currently in general use:

[1] Flow table test;

[2] Penetration test;

[3] Proctor / Fagerberg test;

[4] The remaining 3 tests are Modified Proctor / Fagerberg test procedures for the following subject-matter:

[a] Iron ore fines;

[b] Coal;

[c] Bauxite.

Note, the selection of each test method should be determined by local practices or by the appropriate authorities, as each method has its advantages.

The following sub-headings are used to document the characteristics of each test method:

[1] Scope;

[2] Apparatus;

[3] Temperature and humidity;

[4] Procedure.

2- Test Procedures to Determine the Angle of Repose and Associated Apparatus

For determiation of the angles of repose of fine-grained materials (size less than 10 mm), the 'tilting box test' is used. It may be used in the laboratory or at the port of loading, see Paragraph 2.1.

The following sub-headings are used to document the following details:

[1] Scope;

[2] Definition;

[3] Principle of test;

[4] Apparatus;

[5] Procedure;

[6] Evaluation.

When the titling box test is not available, an alternative or shipboard test method is to be used for the determination of the angle of repose, see Paragraph 2.2.

3 - Standards Used in Test Procedures

There are two main considerations:

[1] Usage of the standard flow table and frame, see Paragraph 3.1;

[2] Usage of scales and weights, see Paragraph 3.2.

4 - Trough Test for Determination of the Self-Sustaining Exothermic Decomposition of Fertilizers containing Nitrates

This is definite as one where the decomposition initiated in a localized area will spread throughout the mass, see Paragraph 4.1. The apparatus used for testing consist of the following (see Paragraph 4.2):

[1] Steel plates (150 X 150mm, and 1-3mm thick);

[2] Gas burners (eg the Lu or Bunsen);

[3] Heat shield (2mm thick);

[4] Stand (eg made from 15mm wide, 2 mm thick steel bar);

[5] Gauze trough (150 x 150 x 500mm)

Testing may be done by way of:

[1] electrical heating, see Paragraph 4.2.1;

[2] gas burners, see Paragraph 4.2.2.

The procedure for conducting the test is found in Paragraph 4.3, and the test criteria as well as method of assessing result is documented in Paragraph 4.4. In short, if propagation of the decomposition continues throughout the substance, the Fertilizer is considered capable of self-sustaining decomposition, see Paragraph 4.4.1. Alternatively, if propagation does not continue throughout the substance, the fertilizer is considered to be free from the hazard of self-sustaining decomposition, see Paragraph 4.4.2.

5- Description of the Test Resistance to Detonation

How is this test conducted? For this test, the sample is confined in a steel tube and subject to detonation shock from an explosive booster charge. Propagation of the detonation is determined from the degree of compression of lead cylinders on which the tube rests horizontally during the test, see Paragraph 5.1.1.

Sample preparation shall be carried out using the procedures in Paragraph 5.2. Materials used include a seamless steel tube constructed to ISO 65-1981 - Heavy or equivalent (see Paragraph 5.3), and initiation system and booster, as well as six witness cylinders of refined, cast lead for detecting detonation (see Paragraph 5.3).

The test is to be carried out twice. If in each test, one or more of the supporting lead cylinders are crushed by less than 5 percent, the sample is deemed to satisfy the resistance to detonation requirements, see Paragraph 5.5.

6 - Self-Heating Test for Charcoal

The equipment need for this test are as follows:

[1] Oven, see Paragraph 6.1.1;

[2] Wire mesh cube, see Paragraph 6.1.2;

[3] Temperature measurement device / system, see Paragraph 6.1.3.

The test procedure is documented in Paragraph 6.2. If the temperature at any time during the 12 hours exceed 200 degrees C, the following fail the test (see Paragraph 6.3.1):

[1] Non-activated carbon;

[2] Non-activated charcoal;

[3] Carbon black;

[4] Lamp black.

If the temperature at any time during the 12 hours exceed 400 degrees C, the following fail the test (see Paragraph 6.3.2):

[1] Activated carbon;

[2] Activated charcoal.

Appendix 3 - Properties of Solid Bulk Cargoes

1 - Non-Cohesive Cargoes

Cargoes which are non-cohesive when dry are organised in an alphabetical list. Cargoes here range from Aluminium Flouride and Ammonium Nitrate UN 1942, to Wood Pellets not containing Additives and/or  Binders to Wood Torrefied, see Paragraph 1.1. If cargoes are not listed in this Appendix, they are cohesive, ie such cargoes that are not listed should be treated as cohesive until otherwise shown, see Paragraph 1.3.

2- Cargo which may Liquefy or Under Dynamic Separation

What types of cargoes fall in this category? Fine-particles cargoes, if possessing high moisture content, are liable to flow, see Paragraph 2.1. Hence, any damp / wet cargo containing a proportion of fine particles should be tested for flow characteristics prior to loading, see Paragraph 2.1.

3 - Precautions for the Cargoes which may Possess a Chemical

These precautions are to be developed in consultation with the following prior to shipment of bulk cargoes (see Paragraph 3.1):

[1] ‘competent authority’;

[2] authorities at the port of loading and discharge.

The following document should be consulted prior to loading: ‘Medical First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG)’, see Paragraph 3.2.

Appendix 4 - Index

This appendix provides an index of the various materials / cargoes, the group which they belong to, and the accompanying reference document. For example, Aluminium Dross is in Group B, and the accompanying document is ‘Aluminium Smelting By-Products’, OR ‘Aluminium Remelting By-Products UN 3170’. At the other end of the alphabetical spectrum is Zinc Sludge in Group A, and documented in the Mineral Concentrates Schedule.

Appendix 5 - Bulk Cargo Shipping Names in Three Languages (English, French and Spanish)

The names of the cargoes are sorted alphabetically. For example, the list starts with Alfalfa in English, and also explains that the same material is Luzerne in French and also Alfalfa in Spanish. At the other end of the list, there is Zircondsand (English), which is also known as Sable De Zircon (French) and Circonio, Arena De (Spanish).

Thank you for reading IMSML Website Article 47/2024

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Website Article 48/2024: Resolution MSC.540(107) - Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978

Signing-off for today,

Dr Irwin Ooi Ui Joo, LL.B(Hons.)(Glamorgan); LL.M (Cardiff); Ph.D (Cardiff); CMILT

Professor of Maritime and Transport Law

Head of the Centre for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution

Faculty of Law

Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam

Selangor, Malaysia

Tuesday, 24 September 2024

Note that I am the corresponding author for the IMSML Website Articles. My official email address is: uijoo310@uitm.edu.my