02/10/2021

Bulk Grain Cargo

Operation
Topic 6

LEARNING OUTCOMES
SAMPLE FOOTER TEXT

LO1.12 LO1.13 LO1.14

2/1/20XX

Discuss the  Explain the procedures • Explain the

following in preparing holds for the procedures on how to
terms used in reception of grain separate two different
International cargoes, approved grain bulk grain cargoes
Grain Code loading methods, and loaded into the same
trimming of bulk grain compartment
cargoes including its effect if
mixed

1
 02/10/2021

GRAIN (BULK CARGO)

Grain is defined in the IMO Grain

Rules as:
 Wheat, Maize (Corn), Rye, Oats,
Barley, Rice, Pulses or Seeds,
whether processed or not, which
when carried in bulk, has a behavior
characteristic similar to grain in that
it is liable to shift transversely across
a cargo space of a ship, subject to
the normal sea-going motion.

D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 3

GRAIN ( B U L K C A RG O )

 SOLAS 74, Chapter VI – Part  Resolution MSC.23 (59),

C – The Carriage of Grain.
 Part C of the revised chapter
VI deals with the carriage of
grain, and is supplemented by
the International Code for the
Safe Carriage of Grain in Bulk
(International Grain Code).
(adopted on May 23, 1991) –
Adoption of the International
Code for the Safe Carriage of
Grain in Bulk
 This Code applies to ships
regardless of size, including
those of less than 500 tons gross
tonnage, engaged in the carriage
of grains in bulk.

D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 4

2
 02/10/2021

GRAIN ( B U L K C A RG O )

 (A 2.2) Filled compartment, (A 2.3) Filled compartment,

trimmed, refers to any cargo untrimmed, refers to any cargo
space in which, after loading space in which is filled to the
and trimming as required under maximum extent possible in a
way of the hatch opening but
A 10.2, the bulk grain is at its which has not been trimmed
highest possible level. outside the periphery of the
 hatch opening either by the
provisions of A 10.3.1 for all
ships or A 10.3.2 for specially
suitable compartments.

D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 5

GRAIN ( B U L K C A RG O )

 (A2.4) Partially filled (A 2.5) Angle of Flooding

compartment, refers to any means the angle of heel at
cargo space wherein the bulk which openings in the hull,
grain is not loaded in the superstructures or deckhouses,
which cannot be closed
manner prescribed in A 2.2 or A weathertight, immerse. In
2.3 applying this definition, small
 openings through which
progressive flooding cannot
take place need not be
considered as open.

D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 6

3
 02/10/2021

GRAIN ( B U L K C A RG O )

 (A2.6) Stowage Factor, for  It is expression which

the purpose of calculating indicates the cubic capacity that
the grain heeling moment 1 ton of cargo will require. The
caused by a shift of grain, stowage factor takes account of
means the volume per unit the design and shape of the
weight of the cargo as cargo package and the need to
attested by the loading employ dunnage or other
facility, i.e. no allowance special stowage provision.
shall be made for lost space Stowage factor is expressed as
when the cargo space is a number of cubic metres per
nominally filled. ton (m3/t) or cubit feet (cuft/t).
D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 7

GRAIN ( B U L K C A RG O )

(A2.7) Specially suitable

compartment refers to a cargo
space which is constructed with at
least two vertical or sloping,
longitudinal, grain-tight divisions
which are coincident with the hatch
side girders or are so positioned as
to limit the effect of any transverse
shift of grain. If sloping, the
divisions shall have an inclination
of not less than 30 degrees to the
horizontal.

D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 8

4
 02/10/2021

GRAIN ( B U L K C A RG O )

 Filled – When applied to a  Partly filled – This is taken to

cargo space, this means that mean that level of bulk material
the space is filled and trimmed which is less than ‘filled’. The
to feed as much grain into the cargo would always be trimmed
space as possible, when level with the ship in an upright
trimming has taken place under condition.
the decks and hatch covers,
etc.

D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 9

GRAIN (BULK CARGO)

 Grain must be carried in accordance with the requirements of the
aforementioned grain rules which consist of three parts, namely ‘A’, ‘B’
and ‘C’.
 Part A. Contains thirteen rules which refer among other items to
definitions, trimming, intact stability requirements, longitudinal divisions
(shifting boards), securing and the grain loading information which is to
be supplied to the Master. This information is to include sufficient data to
allow the Master to determine the heeling moments due to a grain shift.
Thus there are tables of grain heeling moments for every compartment
which is filled or partly filled, tables of maximum permissible heeling
moments, details of scantlings of any temporary fittings, loading
instructions in note form and a worked example for the Master’s
guidance.
D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 10

5
 02/10/2021

GRAIN (BULK CARGO)

 Part B. Considers the effect on the ship’s stability of a shift of grain.

For the purpose of the Rules, it is assumed that in a filled compartment
(defined as a compartment in which, after loading and trimming as
required by the Rules, the bulk grain is at its highest level) the grain can
shift into the void space which is always considered to exist at the side
of hatchways and other longitudinal members of the structure or shifting
boards, where the angle of repose of the grain is greater than 30.

D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 11

GRAIN (BULK CARGO)

 Part C. Concerned with the

strength and fitting of shifting
boards, shores, stays, and the
manner in which heeling moments
may be reduced by the saucering
of grain. The handling of bulk and
the securing of hatches of filled
compartments and the securing of
grain in a partly filled compartment
are also detailed.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 12

6
 02/10/2021

MEASURES TO REDUCE THE VOLUMETRIC

HEELING MOMENT OF ‘FILLED’ A N D ‘ PA R T LY
F I L L E D ’ C A R G O C O M PA R T M E N T S

 By use of longitudinal divisions – By overstowing in a

These are required to be grain tight partly filled compartment
and of an approved scantling. – Achieved by trimming
By means of a saucer and bundling the surface level flat and
bulk – A saucer shape is constructed covering with a
of bulk bundles in the hatch square of separation cloth then
a filled compartment. The depth of the tightly stowing bagged
saucer is established between 1.3 grain to a depth of 1/16th
and 1.4 metres depth dependent on of the depth of the free
the ship’s beam, below the deck line. grain stow.

D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 13

MEASURES TO REDUCE THE VOLUMETRIC

HEELING MOMENT OF ‘FILLED’ A N D ‘ PA R T LY
F I L L E D ’ C A R G O C O M PA R T M E N T S
Strapping or lashing
When, in order to eliminate heeling
moments in partly filled compartments,
strapping or lashing is utilized,

Securing with wire mesh

 When, in order to eliminate grain
heeling moments in "partly filled" This Photo by Unknown Author is
compartments, strapping or lashing is licensed under CC BY

utilized, the securing may, as an

alternative to the method described This Photo by Unknown Author
is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
above.
International Grain Code 14

7
 02/10/2021

Longitudinal
Separation
• A strict policy of
no naked lights
and no smoking
should be
followed and
crew should not
engage in
chipping or
painting below
decks.

15

Overstowing
with bagged
cargo

16

8
 02/10/2021

GRAIN (BULK CARGO)

To ensure adequate stability
 The angle of heeling of the vessel which arises from the assumed
‘shift of grain’ must not exceed 12 degrees.
 When allowing for the assumed shift of grain, the dynamical stability
remaining – that is, the residual resistance to rolling on the listed side –
must be adequate.
 The initial metacentric height (GM), making full allowance for the free
surface effect of all partially filled tanks, must be maintained at 0.3
meters or more.
 The ship is to be upright at the time of proceeding to sea.
D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 17

GRAIN ( B U L K C A RG O )

Document of Authorization
 In order to load grain, a
vessel must have a
Document of Authorization or
an appropriate ‘Exemption
Certificate’. The authorization
means that the vessel has
been surveyed and correct
grain loading information has
been supplied to the ship for
use by the Deck Officer
responsible.
D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 18

9
 02/10/2021

GRAIN ( B U L K C A RG O )

Grain Awareness
When a grain cargo is loaded, compartments
will contain void spaces below the crown of the
hatch top. During the voyage the grain will ‘settle’
and these void spaces would be accentuated. In
the event that the grain shifts, it will move into
these void spaces to one side or another,
generating an adverse list to the vessel and
directly affecting the stability of the ship by
reducing the resistance to roll and adversely
affecting the ‘range of stability’.
D. J. House (2016). Cargo Work for Maritime Operations, 8th Edition. 19

STABILIT Y REQUIREMENTS
 7.1 The intact stability characteristics of any ship carrying bulk grain
shall be shown to meet, throughout the voyage, at least the following
criteria after taking into account in the manner described in part B of this
Code and, in figure A 7, the heeling moments due to grain shift:
 .1 the angle of heel due to the shift of grain shall not be grater than
12° or in the case of ships constructed on or after 1January 1994 the
angle at which the deck edge is immersed, whichever is the lesser;
 .2 in the statical stability diagram, the net or residual area between
the heeling arm curve and the righting arm curve up to the angle of
heel of maximum difference between the ordinates of the two
curves, or 40° or the angle of flooding(è1), whichever is the least,
shall in all conditions of loading be not less than 0.075 meter-
radians; and
International Grain Code 20

10
 02/10/2021

STABILIT Y REQUIREMENTS
 7.1 The intact stability characteristics of any ship carrying bulk grain
shall be shown to meet, throughout the voyage, at least the following
criteria after taking into account in the manner described in part B of this
Code and, in figure A 7, the heeling moments due to grain shift:
 .3 the initial metacentric height, after correction for the free surface
effects of liquids in tanks, shall be not less than 0.30 m.
 7.2 Before loading bulk grain the master shall, if so required by the
Contracting Government of the country of the port of loading,
demonstrate the ability of the ship at all stages of any voyage to comply
with the stability criteria required by this section.
 7.3 After loading, the master shall ensure that the ship is upright
before proceeding to sea.
International Grain Code 21

Preparation of grain cargo holds

When nominated to load grain cargo ship staff shall remember the following issues:
1. Even after discharging other grain cargo prior to nomination, the holds will
require as thorough cleaning and preparation as required for any other
previous cargo.
2. There shall be no trace of any previous cargo residue anywhere in the
holds and its structures.
3. There shall be no Loose Rust or flaking paint patches allowed at any
part of the cargo holds.
4. The hatch covers underneath and hatch coamings with their channels &
drainage shall be free of loose rust, paint flakes and cargo residue.

11
 02/10/2021

Preparation of grain cargo holds

5. Cargo holds bulkheads and sides and hopper plates shall have no
previous cargo dirty stains (coal or dark ore cargo stains).
6. Rust on the Tank top is common on bulk carriers. Loose rust is not
accepted. Hard adhering rust need not be removed.
7. Cargo holds and weather decks shall be inspected after cleaning and
washing to ensure that there is no trace of any live or dead
insect/weevils.
8. The cargo hold bilges shall be clean, free of any trace of previous
cargo residue or rust particles and odor-free. The bilge suction effectiveness
shall be verified.
9. Weather deck including cross decks and around the coaming stays and
underneath pipelines shall have no trace of previous cargo residue.

Preparation for Operation

12
 02/10/2021

Cargo hold-cargo
residue of cement
sticking all over

Frame face plate

Cargo residue
stuck hard
behind shell
frames Cargo residue

13
 02/10/2021

Brackets for
pipes where
cargo
residues
usually
accumulate

The areas under

cross decks where
the beams
and girder flanges Flanges of

can have cargo beams &

girders

residue

14
 02/10/2021

Loose rust and

Loose rust flakes rust blisters and
paint blisters
and blisters on
hold bulkheads

Widespread rust
blisters on cargo
hold bulkhead

15
 02/10/2021

Loose rust flakes

and cargo residue Vent. Louvers
underneath hatch
covers

Special attention to
be paid for any
grain hole or
cement hole covers
Grain holes on hatch covers

16
 02/10/2021

Hatch cover
underneath-
Acceptable
condition

Man entry
booby hatch
entrance and its
cover rust and
cargo residue

17
 02/10/2021

Hold entrance
booby hatch
acceptable
condition

Cargo stains of
coal cargo on the
end bulkhead and
hopper

18
 02/10/2021

Stored Grain
Pests and Weevil
Larvae

Weevils found
in Rice and
Wheat

19
 02/10/2021

Hold bilge wells

clean and dry but
stains and loose
flakes remains. Rose box dirty and bilge well
stains remain

Hold bilge wells

acceptable condition.

20
 02/10/2021

A typical
washing of cargo
hold by Tobey
Gun

Maxijet powerful
water jet

21
 02/10/2021

Bilge suctions
The perforated strum
box fitting of a bilge suction line
prevents cargo residues to
enter the bilge line. Therefore
after a cargo discharge
operation the strum box should
be checked and cleaned in
order to ensure that the bilge
suction line will not block. If
possible the strum box should
also be checked for corrosion.

END OF TOPIC 6

44

22