CARGO INFORMATION

- get correct chemical name of cargo to be loaded

- get data sheet or sufficient information for its safe and efficient carriage

- get acquainted with the characteristics of the cargo to be loaded.

Emergency Procedure

- See data sheet for the emergency procedure

- All crew to be trained in emergency procedure

Fire and explosion data

- Get data regarding the LEL and UEL of the cargo

- Get its vapour pressure and temperature

- Flash Point (the temperature at which sufficient vapours of cargo generated equivalent to LEL)

- Flammable cargoes – those with a flash point below 60°C

- Combustible cargoes – those with a flash point above 60°C

- Non-combustible cargoes – those which have no Flash point and do not burn.

Chemical Data

Reactivity

- Reaction may produce heat that may accelerate the reaction

- May cause formation of flammable or harmful vapours.

o Self-Reaction (e.g. Polymerisation) - may be promoted by contact with other chemicals, air or certain types of metals.

o Reaction with another chemical upon mixing. (Non-mutually compatible cargoes) Self Reactive cargoes may also react with other cargoes.

o Reaction with water

Corrosive liquids

- Corrosivity – corrode construction material and need special material for construction of cargo tanks

- Fire – When they corrode metals, hydrogen may be produced, which forms flammable mixture with air.

- Health – destroy human tissues – accompanied by severe pain or in lesser cases only an irritation.

Health Data

Describes potential danger to personnel on contact with liquid or vapors.

- toxicity

- irritant nature

- physical properties

- inhalation hazard

Physical Data

Specific Gravity

Limitation of tank structure – cargo tanks not to be subjected to a greater hydrostatic pressure than that they are designed for.

A) Effect of free surface and sloshing on slack tanks

B) Effect of slack or empty tank on stability

C) Effect on structural stresses.

Vapour Pressure and Boiling Point

o Indication of tendency to vaporize.

o Vapor Pressure – in a closed container the vapor pressure at a constant ambient temperature reaches an equilibrium so that vapor formation rate is equal to liquid formation rate…this equilibrium value is the vapour pressure at that temperature.

o When vapour pressure is raised by increasing the temperature, soon the vapour pressure equals the atmospheric pressure….boiling takes place….temperature is boiling point.

Freezing Point

o Indicates whether heating is required or not.

o Sometimes water is added on charterer’s instructions to lower the freezing point of some high freezing point cargoes (e.g. Phenol Neopentil glycol)

o Consider possible effect on unheated cargoes in adjacent tanks.

Coefficient of Cubical Expansion

o Expansion of liquid due to rise in its temperature

o Filling Ratio (% Full) = 100 X (1 - RT) - S

§ R = Coefficient of thermal expansion per °C

§ T = Expected maximum temperature rise (°C)

§ S = Normal Safety margin, usually 2% of Capacity of tank

Vapour Density

o Most cargo vapours are heavier than air, and thus when released in air, they tend to fall, especially in still conditions.

o Such vapours must be vented at the highest possible level to dilute them beyond harmful concentrations before reaching working area or deck level.

Solubility

o Highly soluble cargo in water would destroy or render useless normal fire fighting foam.

o When insoluble, then the higher density cargo would settle down with a layer of water on top and a lower density cargo would float on top of water.

Electrostatic Gneration

o Class A

§ Electrical conductivity less than 10^-12Ohms / cm

§ Capable of retaining an electrostatic charge and precaution to be taken for overall loading.

o Class B

§ Electrical conductivity more than 10^-12Ohms / cm

§ These materials do not pose a static electricity hazard during normal cargo handling operations.

For further information refer to –

- Chemical Data guide for Bulk shipment by Water (USCG Requirement)

- Charterer’s Material Safety Data Sheet or Chemical Hazardous Data Sheet.

- Chemical Hazards Response Information System (CHRIS) / Hazardous Chemical Data Manual

CARGO STOWAGE PLANNING AND LOADING PLAN

Two important aspects

1) Preparation of Loading Plan

2) Berth Rotation

Pre-cargo operations meeting – discussion with all personnel involved.

Plan to be posted in CCR.

Loading plan to be made for a smooth and safe cargo operation.

Items requiring special attention to be highlighted carefully such that it can’t be missed.

Methods of connecting jumper hoses, manifold connections should be indicated carefully.

Permitted Cargoes

Cargoes that can be carried are given / enlisted in the Certificate of Fitness issued by the Classification Society.

Voyage Orders

To be carefully read and understood and in case of any doubt to be clarified with the Charterers or Owners.

Cargo Planning

Consider all of the following:

1) Coating condition of each tank, including cargo compatibility with coating.

2) Cargo History.

3) Cargo Compatibility required by FOSFA or other regulations.

4) Stress, Trim, List and Stability at all stages when loading / discharging and also during the voyage.

5) Maximum possible uplift of cargo grades.

6) Deadweight and Draft with special consideration to any Sag in the ship’s structure.

7) Loading Sequence taking into account number of slack tanks permissible (if any restriction)

8) Any local regulation restrictions.

9) Measures to prevent contamination.

10) If a certain stowage has been suggested by Operator/ Charterer, and any change or difference is noticed, inform clearly of the vessel’s reason and intention for deviation from the Plan without delay.

11) To be attached to the loading plan.

Calculations

Allow for the following

· Light Weight of the Ship

· Specific Gravity/density of the Cargoes at the estimated loading temperatures.

· Bunkers

· Fresh Water (To be kept minimum)

· Consumable Stores & Provisions

· Constants (Compare to the information in the builders stability information)

· Un-pumpable Ballast

· Slops, if any to be retained

· Load-line Zones

· Local restrictions

· Dock Water / Sea Water densities (To be recorded before completion of loading and any allowances to be calculated)

· Local Draft restriction at the loading / discharging or any intermediate Berth / Port.

· Minimum Maximum Quantities to be loaded as per voyage instructions.

· Any ballasting or de-ballasting requirement to maintain trim and list.

Discrepancy in loading quantity between cargo to be loaded as per initial instructions and finally what is being loaded, must be guided from the Charter Party. In case of large discrepancy, operators to be informed.

Procedures for reporting Cargo Non-conformance

· Documentation and Proof are important.

· If Ship Shore discrepancy more than 0.5%, then vessel to re-gauge her tanks with a different set of measuring device and thermometer, drafts to be recorded carefully, and density to be confirmed with the surveyor.

· If discrepancy exists, letter or protest to be issued.

· If, in case of heated cargoes, the loading temperature is more / less than that specified by charterers, they should be informed along with the operators and loading should commence only after receiving clearance from them.

· In case of sensitive cargoes, if cargo goes off-specification with respect to color, NVM, flash point or any other parameter, results of Wall-wash, First foot analysis should be noted and relayed to operators and charterers. P&I club to be notified too and a protest to be lodged with the shippers / Receivers. Samples to be collected and another test to be performed to ensure correctness of the earlier readings.

For further reference the following manuals / booklets to be referred:

Loading manual
Damage Stability Manual
Cargo suitability / resistance table for coated cargo tanks.
Restriction on previous cargoes loaded prior to loading edible cargoes as per NIOP and FOSFA.
CHRIS code
Procedures and Arrangements manual
IBC Code

Segregation

Reactivity with other cargoes (Compatibility Chart and Exceptions to the Chart USA CFR 150 Part A)
Segregation from other tanks with heated Cargoes. (Self Reactivity hazard – polymerisation, decomposition, thermal instability), deterioration of quality, hazardous and flammable vapor cargoes. As a general rule keep a difference of about 10°C between the boiling point of the non-heated cargo and the maximum temperature of the heated cargo stowed adjacent. (Also pay attention to IBC code requirement paragraph 16.6.1)
Segregation of cargoes reactive with water. Causes damage to quality of cargoes and to tank coating. Must be segregated from fresh water tank for tank cleaning or clean sea water (as heavy weather ballast). Refer to paragraph 15.16.2 of IBC Code.

Loading Limitation of Cargo

Filling Limits for Cargo thermal Expansion