The Nautical Institute Seminar on Cargo liquefaction- Hazards and developments

Transcription

1 The Nautical Institute Seminar on Cargo liquefaction- Hazards and developments London, December 3rd, 2012 Moin Ahmed, FNI

2 Issues to address What can liquefaction can do to a ship? Which cargoes are prone, from where? What can the Master do to minimise the risk? Can the ship safety verify a cargo is safe? What s in the pipeline for IMSBC Code? What is IMO doing about it?

3 Background Bulk carriers - the second largest part of the world merchant fleet; cargoes carried by them does present a number of risks that must be managed; one of the risks is cargo liquefaction; liquid-like behaviour of cargo can lead to the ship listing and ultimately capsizing.

4 Nickel ore samples Nickel ore particle Nickel or particles combined with clay

5 Iron ore in mine field

6 IMSBC Definitions Cargoes which may liquefy means cargoes which contain a certain proportion of fine particles and a certain amount of moisture. They may liquefy if shipped with a moisture content in excess of their transportable moisture limit (TML). Source: IMSBC Code 2012 Edition, IMO, Section 1, General Provisions Transportable moisture limit (TML) of a cargo which may liquefy means the maximum moisture content of the cargo which is considered safe for carriage in ships not complying with the special provisions of subsection of the Code. Source: IMSBC Code 2012 Edition, IMO, General Provisions IMSBC Code classifies bulk cargoes into 3 groups: Group A consists of cargoes which may liquefy if shipped at a moisture content in excess of their transportable moisture limit; Group B consists of cargoes which possess a chemical hazard which could give rise to a dangerous situation on a ship; Group C consists of cargoes which are neither liable to liquefy (Group A) nor possess a chemical hazard (Group B). Source: IMSBC Code 2012 Edition, IMO, General Provisions to

7 Seaborne traded iron ore products and the IMSBC Code The IMSBC Code addresses iron ore products in Appendix 4, as below Source: IMSBC Code 2012 Edition, IMO, Appendix 4, compiled.

8 Inherent hazards Liquefaction process Saturated materials Water pressure on particles causing them to be separated

9 Inherent hazards Moisture migration and resulting liquefaction Moisture and fine migration Cargo hold with ore giving off water

10 Iron ore fines in liquefied condition

11 Loss of Stability and capsizing

12 Operational hazards Reported operational problems included: cargoes being mis-described to avoid application of the Code provisions; certificates and declarations not being provided; inaccurate moisture content and TML certificate, resulting in unsafe cargo being presented for shipment;

13 Operational hazards commercial pressure on masters not to delay shipment and to carry cargoes without the provision of accurate certificates; restrictive clauses in the contract of carriage (charterparties);

14 Operational hazards difficulties linking certification to a stockpile or the source of cargo; only one certificate being provided when there is more than one distinct source of cargo; moisture content certification being too old (greater than 7 days).

15 Existing Legislations

16 Measures to improve safety Amendments to the IMSBC Code with a view to categorizing both cargoes; Development at DSC 16 in September agreement to the draft amendments on general requirements to the Code and adding more stringent measures;

17 Measures to improve safety Development at DSC 17 in September this year: 1. competent authority to operate independently from the shipper; 2. Shipper to provide certificate to ship, issued by an entity recognised by the Competent Authority of the port of loading; 3. procedures for sampling, testing and controlling moisture content be established by shipper, with competent authority s approval and their implementation checked by that authority at the port of loading.

18 Iron ore fines DSC 17 decided not to finalise a draft schedule for iron ore fines this year. The Sub-Committee intends to finalise the draft schedule at DSC 18 in September 2013, for incorporation in the amendments of the IMSBC Code.

19 Nickel ore Nickel ore transportation - currently conducted under the general provisions for cargoes that may liquefy in sections 7 and 8 of the Code. DSC 17 agreed to develop a new schedule indicating the specific characteristics of this ore.

20 Raising awareness DSC.1/Circ.63 in 2010, requesting that extreme care be taken when handling and carrying iron ore fines in bulk; DSC.1/Circ. 66 in 2011 was issued revising DSC.1/Circ.63 ; and DSC.1/Circ. 66/Rev.1 in 2012 was issued further revising DSC.1/Circ. 66.

21 Early implementation Amendments (02-13) to the IMSBC Code containing provisions on measures on cargo liquefaction will not enter into force until 1 January 2015; Therefore, development of an MSC circular for early implementation of the amendments is in the process.

22 Tests for Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) The IMSBC Code suggests three tests available to determine TML: Flow Table test: Scope: IMSBC Code recommends this methodology for mineral concentrates with a maximum grain size of 1 mm recognizing that it may be applicable for grain size up to 7 mm, but will not be suitable for materials coarser than this. Penetration test: Scope: IMSBC Code recommends this methodology for mineral concentrates and similar materials up to 25 mm. Proctor / Fagerberg test: Scope: IMSBC Code recommends this methodology for ore concentrates or similar materials up to a top-size of 5 mm recognizing that for application to coarser materials with a top-size greater than 5 mm an extensive investigation for adoption and improvement is required.

23 Existing methods of test showing Brazil s experience of test results

24 Sampling, testing and certification The Sub-Committee agreed on the amendments to the provisions of the Code for sampling of stockpiles prior to loading on vessels. It has also agreed to the draft Guidelines for developing and approving procedures for sampling, testing and controlling the moisture content of solid bulk cargoes that may liquefy, subject to approval by MSC in June 2013.

25 Outstanding issues Outstanding issues to address prior to the next session: consider the adequacy of current methods for determining transportable moisture limit (TML) for iron ore fines and consider new and/or amended existing methods to be included in appendix 2 of the IMSBC Code, to be completed by the end of May 2013;

26 Outstanding issues consider the evaluated and verified research into iron ore fines to be completed by the end of May 2013; prepare draft individual schedule(s) for iron ore fines and any required amendments to appendix 2, taking into account the items above, and review the existing iron ore schedule as necessary.

27 Capacity-building initiatives In addition to developing international standards, the IMO is keen to assist its Member States in developing capacity to implement these standards through its Integrated Technical Cooperation Programme.

28 Non-governmental organizations role Non-governmental organizations having consultative status with IMO viz. BIMCO, IACS, ICHCA International, ICS, Int. Group of P&I Club, Intercargo, ITF, have been playing active role and contributing to these developments process.

29 Non-governmental organizations role In addition, their role in motivating the ship operators deserves particular mention, such as issuing of circulars by P&I clubs, and the Intercargo Guide for the Safe Loading of Nickel Ore.

30 Industry s Technical Working Group (TWG) Brazil and Australia collaborative working - major mining companies in conjunction with National Authorities Formation of Technical Working Group (TWG) on Iron Ore Fines TML and cargo stability Focus on agreeing on a new testing methodology for adoption at DSC 18 Share findings with independent peer reviewers process managed by International Group of P&I s Involvement of key shipping industry NGO s (ICS, Intercargo and BIMCO).

31 Industry TWG plan to provide input to IMO on iron ore fines Flowchart of industry s cooperation:

32 Problems solved??? THANK YOU

33 Seaborne traded iron ore products and the IMSBC Code (cont.)

34 Seaborne traded iron ore products and the IMSBC Code (cont.) IRON CONCENTRATE IRON CONCENTRATE (pellet feed) IRON CONCENTRATE (sinter feed) Group A Iron ore products are also addressed in Appendix 1 in the individual mineral concentrates schedule.

35 Tests for Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) Each of the currently available methods has inherent limitations when applied to iron ore products (see examples below): Flow Table (example) The Flow Table is generally suitable for mineral concentrates or other fine material with a maximum grain size of 1 mm More than 70% of seaborne traded Brazilian iron ores have top size greater than 7 mm Penetration (example) When the depth of penetration is greater than 50 mm, it is judged that liquefaction took place There is no theoretical or experimental information to justify the value adopted for this figure Proctor / Fagerberg (example) Test method for both fine and relatively coarsegrained ore concentrates or similar materials up to a top size of 5 mm More than 70% of seaborne traded Brazilian iron ores have top size greater than 7 mm