IMSML Website Article 45/2024: Resolution MSC.539(107) - Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code (PART 5 of 7), Section 8 - Test Procedures for Group A Cargoes, AND Section 9 - Materials Possessing Chemical Hazards

Section 8 - Test Procedures for Group A Cargoes

The actual moisture content and transportable moisture limit for Group A Cargo shall be determined in accordance with the IMO procedures as required by Section 4.1.4 of this Code, see Section 8.1. Under Section 8.2, there is recognition of international and national methods for determining moisture content for materials as documented in Section 1.1.4.4 in Appendix 2. In addition, Appendix 2 also contains the recommended methods for determining transportable moisture limits, see Section 8.3.

Is there a complementary test procedure for determining the possibility for liquefaction? Under Section 8.4.1, a ship’s master may carry out a check test for approximately determining the possibility of flow on board the ship, or at the dockside by the following auxiliary method:

[1] Step #1 - half fill a cylindrical can or similar container (0.5 to 1.1 capacity) with a sample of material;

[2] Step #2 - take the can in one hand and bring it down sharply to strike a hard surface such as a solid table from a height of about 0.2m;

[3] Step #3 - repeat the procedure 25 times at one or two second intervals;

[4] Step #4 - Examine the surface for free moisture or fluid conditions;

[5] Step #5 - If free moisture or a fluid condition appears, arrangements should be made to have additional laboratory tests conducted on the material before it is accepted for loading.

Note, that if the samples remain dry after a can test, the moisture content of the material may still exceed the transportable moisture limit (TML), see Section 8.4.2.

Section 9 - Materials Possessing Chemical Hazards

Section 9.1 - General

Cargoes in Group B are solid bulk cargoes which may possess chemical hazards during transport. Section 9.1 identifies these as:

[1] Dangerous goods (see Section 9.2.2), not possessing additional chemical hazards (specified in Section 9.2.3);

[2] MHB (ie Materials Hazardous only in Bulk, see Section 9.2.3); OR …

[3] Dangerous goods also possessing additional chemical hazards (specified in Section 9.2.3)

Section 9.2 - Hazard Classification

Section 9.2.2 and Section 9.2.3 shall be used to classify materials possessing chemical hazards and intended to be shipped under this Code, see Section 9.2.1.

Section 9.2.2 - Classification of Dangerous Goods

For the purposes of this Code, ‘dangerous goods’ shall be classified under Part 2 of the IMDG Code. This is consistent with SOLAS Regulation VII/7 which also defines dangerous goods in solid bulk form. These are the following recognised categories:

[1] Class 4.1: Flammable Solids, see Section 9.2.2.1;

[2] Class 4.2: Substances Liable to Spontaneously Combustion, see Section 9.2.2.2;

[3] Class 4.3: Substances which, in Contact with Water, Emit Flammable Gases, see Section 9.2.2.3;

[4] Class 5.1: Oxidizing Substances, see Section 9.2.2.4;

[5] Class 6.1: Toxic Substances, see Section 9.2.2.5;

[6] Class 7: Radioactive Material, see Section 9.2.2.6;

[7] Class 8: Corrosive Substances, see Section 9.2.2.7;

[8] Class 9:Miscellaneous Dangerous Substances and Articles, see Section 9.2.2.8

Section 9.2.3 - Materials Hazardous on in Bulk (MHB)

These are the materials which, when carried in bulk, possess chemical hazards other than the hazards covered by the classification system of the IMDG Code. Special precautions are required as the materials present a significant risk when carried in bulk, see Section 9.2.3.1.1.

When should a material be classified as MHB? When the material possesses one or more of the chemical hazards (excluding those hazards which are covered by the classification system of the IMDG Code) as defined, see Section 9.2.3.1.2. Samples shall be taken 200mm to 360mm inward from the surface at 3m intervals over the length of a stockpile, see Section 9.2.3.1.2.

Can a material also be classified as MHB by analogy with similar cargoes with known hazardous properties or by records of accidents?, Yes, see Section 9.2.3.1.3.

Although not conducive to establishing a uniform approach MHB classification, can human experience or other factors indicate the need to consider other chemicals hazards, always be taken into account? Yes, see Section 9.2.3.1.4. Note, that deviations recognised (Other Hazards, OH) shall be properly recorded with justifications. The classification for MHBs is as follows:

[1] Combustible solids: MHB (CB), see Section 9.2.3.2;

[2] Self-heating solids: MHB (SH), see Section 9.2.3.3;

[3] Solids that evolve flammable gases when wet: MHB (WF), see Section 9.2.3.4;

[4] Solids that evolve toxic gas when wet: MHB (WT), see Section 9.2.3.5;

[5] Toxic solids: MHB (TX), see Section 9.2.3.6;

[6] Corrosive solids: MHB (CR), see Section 9.2.3.7;

Section 9.3 - Stowage and Segregation Requirements

Section 9.3.1 - General Requirements

Due to the potential hazards, there is a need for segregation of incompatible cargoes. Segregation shall take into account of any identified subsidiary hazard, see Section 9.3.1.1. Segregation of combustible materials shall not include packaging material, ceiling or dunnage. Even if used, it should be kept to a minimum, see Section 9.3.1.2.

The cargo hold shall be a cargo space enclosed by steel bulkheads or shell plating and by steel decks, ie the boundaries shall be resistant to fire and liquid, see Section 9.3.1.3.

How should different grades of a solid bulk cargo be carried in the same cargo space? The most stringent segregation provisions applicable to any of the different grades shall apply to all of them, see Section 9.3.1.5.

Can incompatible materials be handled simultaneously? When loading of one cargo is completed, the hatch covers of every cargo space shall be closed and the decks cleaned of residue before the loading of other material is commenced, see Section 9.3.1.7. Note, that when discharging, the same procedures shall be followed.

How should all foodstuffs be stowed? to avoid contamination, Section 9.3.1.8 mandates the following:

[1] ‘separated from’ a material which is indicated as toxic (see Section 9.3.1.8.1);

[2] ‘separated by a complete compartment or hold from’ all infectious materials (see Section 9.3.1.8.2);

[3] ‘separated from’ radioactive materials (see section 9.3.1.8.3); AND …

[4] ‘away from’ corrosive materials (see Section 9.3.1.8.3).

How should materials which may evolve toxic gases in sufficient quantities to affect health be handled? Such materials shall not be stowed in spaces where such gases may penetrate into living quarters or ventilation systems connecting to living quarters, see Section 9.3.1.9.

When can materials which present corrosive hazards of such intensity as to affect either human tissue or the ship’s structure be loaded? Only after adequate precautions and protective measures have been taken, see Section 9.3.1.10.

What should be done to the spaces after discharging toxic or oxidizing cargoes? The spaces shall be inspected for contamination before being used for other cargoes. If contaminated such spaces shall be properly cleaned and examined before being used for other cargoes, see Section 9.3.1.11. Note, that after discharge of cargoes, a close inspection shall be made for any residue, which shall be removed before the ship is presented for other cargoes, see Section 9.3.1.12.

Should such cargoes, shall the hatches be opened in the case of an emergency? Yes. Hatches shall be kept free to be capable of being opened up, see Section 9.3.1.13.

Section 9.3.2 - Special Requirements

The following is the classification of the various classes of materials which have special requirements:

[1] Materials of classes 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 (see Section 9.3.2.1);

[2] Materials of Class 5.1 (see Section 9.3.2.2);

[3] Materials of Class 7 (see Section 9.3.2.3);

[4] Materials of Class 8 of materials having similar properties (see Section 9.3.2.4);

Section 9.3.3 - Segregation between Bulk Materials Possessing Chemical Hazards and Dangerous Good in Packaged Form

Segregation of goods shall be in accordance with the table in Section 9.3.3.2. The following segregation standards shall apply:

[1] ‘Away from’;

[2] ‘Separated from’;

[3] ‘Separated by a complete compartment or hold from’;

[4] ‘Separated longitudinally by and intervening complete compartment or hold from’.

Section 9.3.4 - Segregation between Solid Bulk Cargoes Possessing Chemical Hazards

Unless otherwise required in this section or in individual schedules for Group B Cargoes, segregation shall be carried out in accordance with the Table found in Section 9.3.4. The following are the segregation standards:

[1] ‘Separated from’;

[2] ‘Separated by a complete compartment or hold from’.

Thank you for reading IMSML Website Article 45/2024

Stay tuned for the next IMSML Website Article 46/2024: Resolution MSC.539(107) - Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, Section 10 - Carriage of Solid Wastes in Bulk, AND Section 11 - Security Provisions

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, 10 September 2024

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