The Carriage of Coal in

Bulk

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 Topics for Discussion
1) Properties of Coal
2) Dangers of Coal
3) Segregation & Stowage
4) General Requirements
5) Special Precautions
6) Gas Monitoring of Coal Cargoes
7) Hatch Care
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 Properties of Coal
 Coals emit methane, a flammable gas,
lighter than air. A methane/air mixture 0f
between 5% & 16% methane constitutes
an explosive atmosphere.
 Should this gas be allowed to
accumulate, it may seep into other cargo
spaces.
 Coals may be subject to oxidation &
hence lead to a depletion of oxygen in
the cargo space plus an increase in
carbon dioxide in the cargo spaces.

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 Properties
 Some coals are liable to self-
heating & this could lead to
spontaneous combustion.
 This process may lead to the
production of flammable & toxic
gases such as carbon monoxide.
 Carbon monoxide is toxic as well
being as being flammable in
concentrations of between 12% &
75% by volume.
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 (continued)
 Finally, some coals react with
water to produce corrosive acids
and explosive gases such as
hydrogen.

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 COAL GIVES OFF METHANE
METHANE RISES TO SURFACE

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 COAL CAN CAUSE
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

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 COAL CAN ‘SLURRY’ WITH
MOISTURE MIGRATION

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 HIGH DENSITY CARGOES
LOW S.F.

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 HIGH DENSITY CARGOES
TRIM LEVEL TO AVOID LOCALISED STRESS

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 General Requirements
 Comprehensive details with regard
to the properties of the particular
coal cargo must be provided by the
shipper.
 Check that spaces are clean & dry
& that removable battens have in
fact been removed.
 Verify that all electrical equipment
& cables are free from defect.
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  Smoking & the use of naked flames
must be banned from the vicinity of
the cargo spaces.
 Any activity which may be a source
of combustion must be banned in
the vicinity of the cargo spaces. This
includes adjacent spaces unless
they have been properly ventilated.
 The cargo must not be stowed
adjacent to hot areas.

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  Prior to departure, casings
leading into the cargo space
must be adequately sealed.
 In order to prevent the

development of gas
pockets, the surface of the
cargo must be trimmed as
level as possible.

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 1.The atmosphere in the cargo space
must be checked for concentrations of:
1. Methane,

2. Oxygen

3. Carbon monoxide

using remote reading instruments, the

frequency of the checks depending upon
the information supplied by the shipper.

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  The acidity of samples of bilge water should be
monitored to check for risk of corrosion & bilges
kept dry if necessary.
 The surface of the cargo should be ventilated for
the first 24 hours of the voyage. If after 24 hours
the methane concentration are at an acceptably
low level, the ventilators should be closed.
 Carbon monoxide measurements should be
taken on a daily basis.

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  Adjacent spaces should be
monitored for the presence of
flammable & toxic gases.
 If the cargo does not behave as
specified in the shipper’s cargo
declaration then such
discrepancies must be reported to
the shipper.

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 Special
Precautions(Methane)
 If the shipper has advised that the
cargo is liable to emit methane or
an analysis of the cargo space
shows the presence of methane in
excess of 20% of the lower
flammable limit, then the following
special precautions must be taken:

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 Maintain surface ventilation.
 Do not direct air into the body of the coal.
 Vent all gases prior to lifting hatch covers
& ensure that sparks are not created in
the hatch opening process.
 Ensure that the space is safe by
ventilation & testing before personnel are
allowed to enter.
 Emergency entry into the space may be
made only by trained personnel wearing
self-contained breathing apparatus under
the supervision of a responsible officer.

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  Enclosed spaces adjacent to the
cargo space must also be tested
for the presence of methane.
 Adequate ventilation must be
provided. If mechanical ventilation
is used, the machinery must be
safe for use in a potentially
explosive environment.

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 Special Precautions (Self-
Heating)
 If the shipper advises that the
cargo is liable to self-heat or there
is an increasing concentration of
carbon monoxide in the hold then
the following additional precautions
are to be taken:


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  Close the hatches immediately after
loading.
 Seal the hatch covers with suitable tape.
 Use natural, gentle surface ventilation to
remove methane which may have
accumulated above the cargo surface.
 Never direct air into the body of the
cargo.

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  Only allow trained, experienced
personnel to enter the cargo space
wearing breathing apparatus.
 Better to measure the concentration of
carbon monoxide at regular intervals.
 If, at the time of loading & the hatches
are open, the temperature of the coal
exceeds 55 degrees C then expert
advice should be sought.

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  Should carbon monoxide levels
increase during the voyage, this
may indicate potential self heating.
 Close down the cargo space
completely & cease ventilation.
 Seek expert advice immediately.
 Never use water for cooling the
cargo or fighting fires at sea.

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  Water may only be used for
cooling the boundaries of the cargo
space.

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 Coal Cargo Monitoring
Logbook Contents
 Identify holds & concentrations of
gases in each compartment.
 Temperature of the coal and how
readings were obtained.
 Times at which samples were
taken.
 Times at which ventilators were
opened & closed.

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  Quantity of coal in each hold.
 Type of coal & any special
precautions stated in the shipper’s
declaration.
Date loaded & ETA at discharge
port.
Any additional comments

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 Design concerns
 BLU Code states that ships should be
suited to operational environment …
BUT
 UNTIL NOW, handling ease and safety
scarcely a factor in bulker design …
even though
 Prevailing handling techniques and
speeds pre-date entire trading fleet
 Ship/Cargo suitability is an issue
 raise broker / charterer awareness /
vetting

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 Preferred
characteristics
 Terminal operators hope that arriving
vessels
 Are of optimum design for safe and
efficient handling
 Provide safe and easy access in terms
of ladders, platforms etc
 Offer stanchions and guard rails at all
hatch covers
 Adequate hold lighting etc etc
 Frequently this is not the case

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 CHARTER PARTY:- ITEM 42. VESSEL TO PROVIDE ALL
NECESSARY LIGHT FOR NIGHT WORK AS ON BOARD
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 Challenges
 Conventional holds - efficient discharge extremely
difficult
 Risks to the ship / handling equipment / safety of

operational personnel
 fair wear and tear

 Not all cargoes are free flowing and easy to handle

 Ship/Cargo suitability / Commercial arrangements

 Residual cargoes
 safe clean-up / safety regulations

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 EU - another
complication
 EU BLU Directive - March 2004
 Terminal operators must satisfy
themselves that a bulk carrier is
operationally suitable for their terminal
 Vetting - a new requirement
 Terminals using Equasis / RightShip /

DBTG database

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 BLU Manual
 IMO proposal follows on from BLU Code
 DBTG Guidelines for Terminal
Representatives at the SPI
 Basis for harmonisation of procedures

among terminals
 Basis for formal Training

 Adaptable for Bulk Carrier Endorsement?

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 Summary
 DBTG believes that:
 Terminals and bulk carriers are
interdependent
 Significant areas of mutual concern
must be addressed
 Issues of bulk carrier design
impacting on safety at the SPI will be
solved by industry partners working
together - NOT in isolation and to
different agendas

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 Conclusion
BULK CARRIER
LEGISLATION
MCA

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 THE END

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