Viewing

9 In pairs, discuss.

Why is water important for people? Can it harm people? What harm can the sea water make to cargo? Do all cargoes suffer because of water?

10 Watch the video and state the main reasons of bulk cargo loss.

11 Watch the video again and answer the questions.

1. Why do the losses happen?

2. How many claims stand from bulk cargo damage?

3. What is the most frequent cause of cargo damage?

4. Can the ship harm the cargo? How?

5. What books on cargo safety are advised?

12 a) In groups, make a list of advice as for bulk cargo safe handling.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

b) Watch the video and check your lists.

13 Debate!

Many of the claims occur because behind the effort of shippers, receivers, cargo handlers, charterers and ship owners there lie different interests.

Reading

14 a) Decipher the abbreviations.

BC Code ___________________________________________________________________

IMDG Code ________________________________________________________________

b) Discuss.

1. Have you ever read any of the codes above?

2. Who asked you to read them and what for?

3. Did you find the code (s) useful?

15 Read the text and highlight the dry cargo hazards.

Dry Cargoes Hazards

Recently, there has been a marked development in the variety of bulk cargoes carried by sea and now they constitute a significant proportion of international sea trade. While the vast majority of these shipments are made without incident, there had been a number of serious casualties which resulted not only in the loss of the ship but also in loss of life.

Because of these dangers, IMO has developed the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) which provides guidance on the standards to be applied in the safe stowage and shipment of solid bulk cargoes excluding grain which is dealt with separate rules.

The BC Code identifies three categories of hazards arising from the carriage of dry cargoes in bulk.

Structural damage due to improper distribution of the cargo. Structural damage may be caused by the high density of many bulk cargoes due to incorrect distribution and inadequate trimming which lead to local overstressing of the ship's structure. Ships are generally provided with information so as to be able to avoid overstressing. Where this is not the case, the BC Code provides the necessary guidance.

Loss or reduction of stability due to shifting. Causes of loss or reduction of stability:

1. The tendency of cargoes to shift in a seaway because of their angle of repose* and other factors. Cargoes should always, as a matter of principle, be trimmed reasonably after loading.

2. The tendency of cargoes to liquefy which results in free surface effects and in cargo shifting.

The tendency of a cargo to liquefy is expressed by its flow moisture point and in order to carry cargoes safely the actual moisture content must be well below this point. The transportable moisture limit represents the maximum moisture content of a material which is considered safe for carriage in ships not specially fitted.

Chemical reactions due to the properties of the cargoes. Materials possessing chemical hazards have designated classes in accordance with the IMDG Code. In addition, there is a class called Materials Hazardous only in Bulk (MHB). As implied by the name, materials under this class pose chemical hazards only when carried in bulk. Like packaged dangerous goods, materials possessing chemical hazards must comply with stowage and segregation requirements. Additionally, special equipment may have to be on board when carrying such cargoes.

Notes

* angle of repose - кут натурального відкосу

16 Read the text again and complete the table.

Dry Cargoes Hazard	Reasons	Precautions

17 In pairs, discuss.

What are possible consequences of:

1. structural damage due to improper distribution of the bulk cargo?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. loss or reduction of stability due to shifting?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. chemical reactions due to the properties of the cargoes?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

18 In groups, share your practice experience on hazards met while transportation of dry bulk cargoes.