Corrosion
Coal can react with water to produce corrosive acids. As well as
the risk of corroding the vessel’s steelwork, this process has the
potential to produce hydrogen gas. Any accumulation of water
in the holds needs to be monitored and any build up pumped
away using the bilge system.
The IMSBC Code contains advice on bilge water testing for
corrosion.
Precautions Prior to Loading
Ensure that the vessel receives the shipper’s declaration with
the information described in the IMSBC Code coal schedule.
The declaration must include a section on whether or not a
cargo is liable to emit methane or self-heat. Unless the coal
cargo has been classed as Group B only, it must be
accompanied by certificates showing:
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML); and
Moisture Content (MC).
The interval between sampling/testing for moisture content
and the commencement of loading should never be more than
seven days. If the cargo has been exposed to significant
precipitation between the time of testing and the
commencement of loading the shipper must retest the cargo.
The coal schedule in the IMSBC Code contains specific advice
on weather precautions when loading Group A coal.
The schedule also contains details of the monitoring
equipment that must be on-board and it is important that this
equipment is fully operational and fitted in line with the
requirements of the code.
Cargoes with a temperature above 55oC should never be
accepted for loading. This is a key safety precaution. The
Master can easily check the surface temperature of the cargo
using an infrared thermometer as see in Figure 9.
Masters should exercise extreme caution when presented with
hot cargo even where the cargo has not been declared as liable
to self-heating. This can be the case with Indonesian coal
cargoes which, in general, are liable to self-heat but which are
regularly declared as not liable to self-heating.
Burgoyne’s, a firm of cargo experts with many years of
experience dealing with problematic coal cargoes, have
produced a useful briefing note on Indonesian coal cargoes
which may be read here.
Coal Cargo Bilge Water
Accurate bilge pumping records should be maintained to avoid
shortage claims at the discharge port.
This is because when moisture from coal collects in the bilges
and is pumped overboard, the weight of the coal will effectively
be reduced even though the actual quantity remains the same.
The bilges can only be pumped overboard if the cargo is not
classed as Hazardous to the Marine Environment (HME) and in
accordance with MARPOL Annex V.
The shipper’s declaration should state whether or not the cargo
is HME.
Summary
Coal has well-known hazards and the conditions for safe
carriage are described at length in the IMSBC Code. As long as
the provisions of the IMSBC Code are followed and the cargo is
monitored closely throughout the voyage there is no reason
why, even where problems start to develop, the vast majority
of situations cannot be managed onboard.
Three Key Points – Think SMS!
Stop unsuitable cargo coming aboard. Cargo above 55oC
should not be shipped.
Monitor the cargo loaded for signs of self-heating or methane
production throughout the voyage.
Seek expert advice if carbon monoxide or methane levels are
giving cause for concern.
Early intervention can prevent potentially dangerous situations
from developing into serious incidents.
We are grateful for the assistance of Peter Cook of Burgoynes
in preparing this briefing.
For more information contact the loss prevention department
at loss.prevention@nepia.com
Disclaimer
The purpose of this publication is to provide a source of information which is
additional to that available to the maritime industry from regulatory, advisory,
and consultative organisations. Whilst care is taken to ensure the accuracy
of any information made available no warranty of accuracy is given and users
of that information are to be responsible for satisfying themselves that the
information is relevant and suitable for the purposes to which it is applied.
In no circumstances whatsoever shall North be liable to any person whatsoever
for any loss or damage whensoever or howsoever arising out of or in
connection with the supply (including negligent supply) or use of information.
Unless the contrary is indicated, all articles are written with reference to
English Law. However it should be noted that the content of this publication
does not constitute legal advice and should not be construed as such.
Members should contact North for specific advice on particular matters.
Published February 2019.
Carriage of Coal (cont.)
04 Cargo / Carriage of Coal
For more information, please visit www.nepia.com
Copyright © 2019 The North of England P&I Association Limited
Figure 9: Smart AR882A IR Device for measuring temperature of the coal surface before loading
or in the hold
