Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)

• Bulk carriers are ship types designed to carry dry cargo in bulk form.
Especially concentrate cargoes, such as iron ore and nickel ore, affect
the ship’s stability negatively.
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)
• During voyages; motion of the ships especially rolling , engine and
deck equipment vibration, causes cargo liquefaction due to the
moisture content of the cargo.

• Liquefaction is the process of converting a substance from its solid

gas state into liquid state.
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)

• If the cargo is loaded and the moisture content is in excess of its

transportable moisture limit, the cargo reaches its flow moisture
point and turns into a fluid state.
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)
• Main reasons for cargo liquefaction starts with most mine locations
being very far from the loading/port facilities.

• Cargo is stockpiled uncovered on the beach, rain and monsoon

conditions cause the moisture levels in the cargo to increase but this
cannot be visibly seen.
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)
• According to IMSBC Code, Regulation 4:

• Shipper has to provide the master, on his representative, with appropriate

information about the cargo.

• This information should be presented to the Master prior to loading and

confirmed by officially prepared documents
Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)
• IMSBC Code: Group A or Cargoes that may liquefy (i.e. Nickel Ore)

• The cargo is considered safe to load when moisture content is below

TML.

• A TML of <35 % is considered safe for Nickel Ore in Bulk.

Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)

• TML of a cargo which is considered safe for carriage in

ships and is determined by the test procedures,
approved by a competent authority.

• TMC use the Flow Table test in determining TML.

Transportable Moisture Limit (TML)
FLOW TABLE TEST