Circular
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.1149 – Accidents Involving Bulk Cargoes not Specifically Listed in the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) – (15 December 2004) - Circular

Circular

  1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-ninth session (1 to 10 December, 2004), considered a preliminary report on an explosion during the transport of Hot Briquetted Iron/ Direct Reduced Iron (HBI/DRI) Fines as a result of which the vessel concerned was lost and six crew members were killed. In considering the report, the Committee:

  • .1 was advised of other accidents involving similar cargoes, which may evolve hydrogen in contact with water and may heat spontaneously and which may be described as:

    Orinoco Iron Remet Fines;

    Remet Fines (HBI);

    Orinoco Remet Fines in Bulk; or

    HBI Fines;

  • .2 noted with concern the lack of proper information on the above-mentioned cargoes and that they are not specifically listed in the BC Code; and

  • .3 confirmed that, for safe carriage of these cargoes, due regard should be given to the relevant general precautions in the BC Code and in particular to the appropriate precautions in the entries for "DIRECT REDUCED IRON (A) Briquettes, hot-moulded" and for "DIRECT REDUCED IRON (B) such as lumps, pellets and cold-moulded briquettes (not to be confused with ironsponge, spent)", noting that the properties of these cargoes are similar to those of dangerous goods of Class 4.3.

  2 The Committee further endorsed the decisions of the DSC Sub-Committee to circulate the following DSC circulars (copies attached as annexes to this circular):

  • .1 DSC/Circ.26 regarding incidents involving the transport of Zinc Ingots wherein it was noted that, possibly due to the presence of Zinc Ashes not completely removed from the surface of the ingots, arsine accumulated in high concentrations in the cargo holds and thus recommends precautions for the carriage of this cargo; and

  • .2 DSC/Circ.27 detailing an explosion in a cargo hold loaded with re-cycled aluminium described as "Serox" or "Oxiton" which notes the possible formation of gases such as hydrogen, ammonia and acetylene.

  3 The Committee, in view of the above,

  • .1 drew the attention, once again, of shippers, terminal operators, shipowners, ship operators, companies and charterers involved in the transport of solid bulk cargoes to:

    • .1 the need to provide the shipmaster with all relevant information on the cargo to be loaded in accordance with Chapters VI and VII of the SOLAS Convention, and the provisions of the BC Code; and

    • .2 the need, when transporting any solid bulk cargo, to consult the BC Code;

  • .2 recommended to shippers and shipmasters:

    • .1 to ensure, before loading any solid bulk cargo, the suitability of the hold and its equipment for the product to be transported;

    • .2 to ensure, before loading any solid bulk cargo, the suitability of the cargo for transportation;

    • .3 to seek advice, before loading any solid bulk cargo not specifically listed in the BC Code, from the competent authorities; and

    • .4 to only commence loading if all of the relevant safety criteria contained in the BC Code are met;

  • .3 recommended that shipowners, ship operators and companies should ensure that shipmasters and crews involved in the transport of solid bulk cargoes are trained in the provisions of the BC Code, including the safety measures contained therein, and to incorporate them into their safety management system procedure.

  4 Member Governments are invited to bring the above information to the attention of shippers, terminal operators, shipowners, ship operators, companies, charterers, shipmasters and all other parties concerned requesting that appropriate action be taken, taking into account the provisions of the relevant IMO instruments when transporting solid bulk cargoes.

Parent topic: MSC/Circular.1149 – Accidents Involving Bulk Cargoes not Specifically Listed in the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) – (15 December 2004)
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