INTERCARGO, the worldwide profession organization standing for the passions of completely dry freight vessel proprietors, is contacting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to remedy the classification of specific ammonium nitrate-based plant food freight under the IMSBC code in reaction to the magazine of the casualty record right into the failure of the M/V Cheshire.

In August 2017, the 2012-built supramax mass provider was en course from Norway to Thailand, totally packed with freight stated by the carrier as being “Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer (Non-hazardous)” as well as not accountable to self-sufficient disintegration.

The vessel, nevertheless, endured freight disintegration that caused increasing temperature levels in the freight holds as well as the generation of harmful gases. The disintegration spread throughout the size of the vessel to such a degree that, after a number of days, the vessel’s Master took the choice to leave the team. After a number of days adrift under the guidance of the Spanish Authorities, the vessel was at some point restored however, because of comprehensive damages, it was stated a failure.

Now a year later on, the Isle of Man Ship Registry, to which the Chesire was signed up, launched its casualty record right into the event, which established that the thermal disintegration of the ammonium-based plant food freight happened although that all needed safeguards remained in put on board the vessel.

Related: INTERCARGO Analyzes 10 Years of Bulk Carrier Casualties

Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer (non-hazardous) is presently marked in the IMSBC Code en masse C freight, suggesting it does not dissolve (team A) neither have chemical dangers (team B).

INTERCARGO states it is clear from the Cheshire event that this freight, or at the very least a few of the ammonium nitrate-based plant foods delivered as this freight, must not be dealt with as team C.

“It is INTERCARGO’s hope that future work at the IMO will lead to the correct designation and description of this cargo within the IMSBC Code, thus furthering the safer carriage of cargoes and safer voyages,” INTERCARGO said in a statement complying with the launch the record.

The record makes some essential referrals consisting of: changing the deceptive freight name from “Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer (non-hazardous)” to “Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilizer (not otherwise classified)”, the plant food makers to give additional details on the habits as well as carriage of this freight, as well as factor to consider of whether the present IMO-stipulated examination for evaluation of self-sufficient disintegration buildings of an ammonium nitrate based plant food suffices.

Other referrals in the record consist of the arrangement of expert tools onboard the vessel, surveillance of the freight environment by the team, as well as the growth of freight as well as ship certain treatments connected to the carriage of this freight. It is INTERCARGO’s solid viewpoint that these added safety measures, which are being hired to be the duty of the vessel, should be unneeded if the freight is team C.

“The IMSBC Code, which is mandatory under SOLAS, stipulates that the Shipper should provide the vessel with all the appropriate information that enables a cargo to be carried safely. It is INTERCARGO’s belief that accurate cargo information, provided by the shipper, is the cornerstone for the safe carriage of bulk cargoes,” stated INTERCARGO.

We urge you to read the Isle of Man Ship Registry’s casualty report (opens as PDF)