New bauxite cargoes in BIMCO solid cargo database
Overview
Members can now view the two new cargo entries, Bauxite and Bauxite Fines, in the BIMCO solid bulk cargo database. These cargoes are to be read in conjunction with International Maritime Organization (IMO) circular CCC.1/circ. 2/rev. 1.
Two new cargo entries - Bauxite and Bauxite Fines have been added to the BIMCO Solid Cargo Database. These new cargoes were finalised at the IMO meeting of the Sub-Committee of Carriage of Cargoes and Containers in September 2017 based on research work undertaken by the Global Bauxite Working Group subsequent to the aftermath of the loss of the Bulk Jupiter together with 18 lives in January 2015.
One of the main findings of the said research was that bauxite cargoes are not subject to liquefaction, but to a new phenomena called the "Dynamic Separation Process"; a moisture-related instability mechanism, that results in the formation of a layer of liquid slurry ( mixture of water and fines solids) above the compact cargo, and which could affect the stability of a ship. Another finding is the establishment of a new Particle Size Distribution criteria to enable bauxite cargoes to be classified as Group A and Group C cargoes in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code.
As the above-mentioned amendments could not be incorporated in time for the next Amendment 04-17 to the IMSBC Code, the IMO has issued an updated IMO circular on bauxite cargoes to invite Member States to use these new cargo schedules ; in particular the carriage requirements for Bauxite Fines as a Group A cargo, which will have to be carried under section 1.3 approval.
The above amendments, including a new test procedure finalised for the testing of the tranportable moisture limit (TML) of bauxite, are expected to be adopted at the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee ( MSC) 's meeting in 2019 ( MSC 101 session) as part and parcel of Amendment 05-19 to the IMSBC Code.
The BIMCO solid cargo database now contains the following
- Bauxite, Group C as part of the current amendment,
- Bauxite , Group C(Amendment 05-19) and
- Bauxite Fines, Group A (Amendment 05-19).
The revised IMO circular CCC.1/circ.2/rev. 1 is also available for downloading, along with an explanatory feature on " what is the difference between dynamic separation and liquefaction."
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Posted:
21 February 2018
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