Unit 5 Grain Cargoes

Unit 5: Grain Cargoes
https://youtu.be/KV_1IuLHvWw - Grain Loading

https://youtu.be/EGvAm0CeITE - Cleaning Holds Grain Standard.
https://youtu.be/L_bHik16Rb4 - Bulk Grain Loading
4.1 Definition of Grain, Filled and Partly filled
compartments, Trimmed and untrimmed cargo,
“specially” suitable compartment.
Grain: A cultivated cereal or seed of a cereal is called grain. This

forms a part of the bulk cargo family. The Grain Code defines
“grain” as including wheat, maize (corn), oats, rye, barley, rice,
pulses, seeds and processed forms thereof, whose behaviour is
similar to that of grain in its natural state.
The term filled compartment, trimmed, refers to any cargo

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

wherein the bulk grain is not loaded in the manner prescribed in
the Grain Code under A 2.2 or A 2.3.
The term “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° to the horizontal as per the Grain
Code under A 2.7.
5.2 Preparation of holds for carriage of grain cargo
especially for insect or rodent infestation; Pre
loading inspection/surveys.
Fumigation is carried out when insects/vermin are suspected to

exist and may present a danger to the cargo and vessel. It is
associated with moths, bugs or even rats that live on some types
of commonly carried cargo.
Reasons for fumigating:
Three main reasons why fumigation may be necessary are:
• to destroy residual infestation from previous cargoes
• to fumigate a particular cargo, eg. malt, maize
• to comply with quarantine requirements.

Fumigation:
Some cargoes such as bales, wood, animal skins and grain are
good examples that provide a breeding ground for vermin. These
insects might be present in the compartment even a long time
after a particular cargo has been discharged.
If these insects are present after the cargo is discharged then in

all likely hood they will damage the cargo. In some cases they will
also spread diseases. It is a known fact that rodents spread viral
diseases and feed on the edibles carried. Fumigation is therefore
essential.
One of the fumigant, Methyl Bromide is a commonly used
fumigant in container fumigation. Another fumigant, Phosphene
which may be in the form of pellets is sometimes used. However
since both, fumigants emit gas, personnel must be warned and the
hold thoroughly cleaned after thorough ventilation once the
fumigation is completed.
Because of the nature of fumigants to be used, precautions will

need to be taken which are as follows:
• The first form of protection will be the correct PPE including
respirators and eye protection. In certain areas such as the
tropics, the personnel will tend to remove protective clothing,
gloves. This should be avoided.
• As an antidote use plenty of water to wash in case of contact and
also seek medical advice.
• Because of the properties of some fumigants, smoking should not

be permitted.
• Prior to fumigation conduct a meeting between the shore staff

and the ships staff so as to make all aware.
• Appropriate ventilation, proper notices and labels must be in

place.
• Restrict access to unauthorized persons. Maintain a watch if

possible.
Once fumigation has been carried out:
• Ensure that all entrances are marked with warnings. Check for
leaks.
• Prior to entry into a space that has been fumigated, a gas check
must be made after ventilation and only after it is ascertained that
entry is safe, an attempt should be made
• After it has been ascertained that the space is safe, it must be

cleaned and if pellets of Phosphene are found advice must be
sought.
• If there is any doubt about the compartment, it should be entered

by people using breathing apparatus.
5.3 Securing free grain surface in filled and partly
filled compartments, Use of Shifting boards and
bundling arrangements.
Securing of free grain surface:
When grain is loaded in a ship’s hold or for that matter in any

compartment, it has a tendency to “settle” due to the movement
or vibration of the compartment. Grain settles by about 2% of its
volume. On settling down it also has a tendency to shift. The angle
of repose for grain varies from 15⁰ to 20⁰; which means that if a
vessel rolls beyond this angle the grain will shift.
Further, the vessel may be nominated to load an amount below

the cargo carrying capacity which makes stowage planning and
securing of the surface a necessity for a safe passage.
The logic behind securing of the grain surface is to reduce the
heeling moments. When loading grain, the total heeling moments
must be less than the allowable heeling moment.
Securing of grain in filled compartments can be carried out by:

 Use of longitudinal divisions.
 Making a saucer.
 Bundling of cargo.
Securing of grain in a partly filled compartment can be carried out

by:
 Use of longitudinal divisions.
 Overstowing.
 Lashing or Strapping the cargo.
 Securing with a wire mesh.
Longitudinal Divisions:
Longitudinal divisions may be fitted to reduce heeling moments

due to shift of grain in filled compartments, trimmed, filled
compartments, untrimmed and partly filled compartments,
provided that each division:
a. Is made grain-tight.
b. Is constructed according to the Grain Code standards.
c. Extends from deck to deck in tweendecks.
d. Extends downwards from the underside of the hatch covers.
Ships that are designed for this method are provided with support
brackets.
In Filled compartments the division shall extend downwards 0.6 m

below the lowest point of a hatch girder or the lowest point of a
void space after it has been assumed to shift through an angle of
150 .
In partly filled the division shall extend to a distance of B/8 above
and below the surface of the grain.
On ships without DoA in filled compartments from the underside of
the hatch to a depth below the main deck level of B/8 or 2.4 m
whichever is greater.
Saucering:
The purpose of using a saucer shaped collection of bagged grain is

for reducing the heeling moment. This can be used instead of a
longitudinal division, however it is to be made in way of the hatch
opening only in a filled, trimmed compartment (as per the Grain
code), except in the case of linseed and other seeds having similar
properties, where a saucer may not be substituted for a
longitudinal division. If a longitudinal division is provided, it shall
meet the requirements of the Grain Code (A 10.9).
The dimensions of the saucer shall be as follows:
The depth of the saucer, measured from the bottom of the saucer
to the deck line, shall be
• For ships with a moulded breadth of up to 9.1 m, not less
than 1.2 m.
• For ships with a moulded breadth of 18.3 m or more, not less
than 1.8 m and
• For ships with a moulded breadth between 9.1 m and 18.3 m,
the minimum depth of the saucer shall be calculated by
interpolation.
The top (mouth) of the saucer shall be formed by the underdeck
structure in way of the hatchway, i.e. hatch side girders or
coamings and hatch end beams. The saucer itself and the
hatchway above it shall be completely filled with bagged grain or
other suitable cargo laid on a separation cloth or its equivalent and
stowed tightly against adjacent structure so as to have a bearing
contact with such structure to a depth equal to or greater than one
half of the depth specified in the Grain code (A 14.2).
If hull structure to provide such bearing surface is not available,
the saucer shall be fixed in position by steel wire rope, chain, or
double steel strapping as specified in the grain code (A 17.1.4)
and spaced not more than 2.4 m apart.
Bundling of bulk grain:
The third possibility for securing grain surfaces is “Bundling”.

Instead of filling the saucer in a filled, trimmed, compartment with
bagged grain or other suitable cargo a bundle of bulk grain may be
used provided that:
 The dimensions and means for securing the bundle in place
are the same as specified for a saucer.
 The saucer is lined with a material acceptable to the
Administration having a tensile strength of not less than
2,687 N per 5 cm strip and which is provided without lashing.
• As an alternative to the above, a material acceptable to the
Administration having a tensile strength of not less than 1,344
N per 5 cm strip may be used with lashing.
Whether the first or the second type of material is used, there
shall be some means for securing on top.
Depending on the size if more than one sheet of material is used it
should be overlapped or stitched.
In the second case (second type of material is used) if lashing is to
be carried out then the wires must be laid out in the saucer.
Dunnage should then be placed over the wires. This is to prevent
chafing. Next the material is laid out over the dunnage and filled
with bulk grain up to the top of the hatch coaming. Finally the
material is pulled over the bulk grain and secured at the top after
the ends are lapped.
Lashing or Strapping:
In order to eliminate heeling moments in partly filled
compartments, strapping or lashing is utilized; the procedure is as
follows.
Prior to the completion of loading the lashing shall be attached to
the framing at a point approximately 450 mm below the anticipated
final grain surface by means of either a 25 mm shackle or beam
clamp of equivalent strength.
The lashing is then secured temporarily out of the way on the top.
Next, the grain shall be trimmed and levelled to the extent that it is
very slightly crowned and covered with burlap separation cloths,
tarpaulins or the equivalent.
The separation cloths and/or tarpaulins shall overlap by at least
1.8 m.
Two solid floors of rough 25 mm x 150 mm to 300 mm lumber
shall be laid with the top floor running longitudinally and nailed to
an athwartships bottom floor. Alternatively, one solid floor of 50
mm lumber, running longitudinally and nailed over the top of a 50
mm bottom bearer not less than 150 mm wide, may be used. The
bottom bearers shall extend the full breadth of the compartment
and shall be spaced not more than 2.4 m apart. Arrangements
utilizing other materials and deemed by the Administration to be
equivalent to the foregoing may be accepted.
The lashings shall be spaced not more than 2.4 m apart and each
shall be supported by a bearer nailed over the top of the fore and
aft floor. This bearer shall consist of lumber of not less than 25
mm x 150 mm or its equivalent and shall extend the full breadth
of the compartment.
During the voyage the strapping shall be regularly inspected and
set up where necessary.
Securing with wire mesh
Very similar to the strapping/Lashing method except that a wire

mesh is used instead of wood.
After the loading is completed, the grain shall be trimmed and

levelled to the extent that it is very slightly crowned and covered
with burlap separation cloths, tarpaulins or the equivalent having a
tensile strength of not less than 1344N/5 cms strip (1.37 t/5 cms).
The wire mesh to be used is of 3mm dia steel wire having a

breaking strength of not less than 52kN/cm2 and welded in
squares of 150mm X 150mm.
The boundaries of the wire mesh, at the port and starboard side of
the compartment, shall be retained by wood planks 150 mm x 50
mm.
Overstowing arrangements:
Where bagged grain or other suitable cargo is utilized for the

purpose of securing partly filled compartments, the free grain
surface shall be level and shall be covered with a separation cloth
or equivalent or by a suitable platform. Such platform shall consist
of bearers spaced not more than 1.2 m apart and 25 mm boards
laid thereon spaced not more than 100 mm apart. Platforms may
be constructed of other materials provided they are deemed fit by
the Administration to be equivalent.
The platform or separation cloth shall be topped off with bagged

grain tightly stowed and extending to a height of not less than one
sixteenth of the maximum breadth of the free grain surface or 1.2
m, whichever is the greater.
The bagged grain shall be carried in sound bags which shall be
well filled and securely closed.
Instead of bagged grain, other suitable cargo tightly stowed and

exerting at least the same pressure as bagged grain stowed in
accordance with A 16.2 may be used.
5.4 Document of Authorisation, Grain loading
stability criteria for ships with and without a DoA.
SOLAS regulation VI/9.1 (Requirements for cargo ships carrying
grain) provides that a cargo ship carrying grain must hold a
Document of Authorization as required by the International Grain
Code.
A ship without a Document of Authorization must not load grain

until the master satisfies the flag State Administration, or the
SOLAS Contracting Government of the port of loading on behalf of
the Administration, that the ship will comply with the requirements
of the International Grain Code in its proposed loaded condition
(regulation 9.2).
The Document of Authorisation certifies that a ship is capable of

loading grain in accordance with the requirements of the
International Grain Code.
A Document of Authorization must be issued by or on behalf of the
flag State Administration for every ship loaded in accordance with
the Code, and must be accepted as evidence that the ship is
capable of complying with the Code (A 3.1).
The Document of Authorization must accompany or be

incorporated into the Grain Loading Manual provided, to enable the
master to meet the requirements of the grain code and also the
Manual must meet the requirements of the grain code.
The Document of Authorization, grain loading stability data and
associated plans may be in the official language or languages of
the issuing country. If the language used is neither English nor
French, the text must include a translation into either English or
French.
The Document of Authorization, grain loading stability data and

associated plans must be placed on board and produced for
inspection by the SOLAS Contracting Government at the loading
port.
A ship not having on board a Document of Authorisation (which

most likely does not have a grain loading booklet and heeling
moment information) may be permitted to load bulk grain subject
to following conditions,
1. The total weight of the bulk grain does not exceed one third
of the ship’s deadweight (ships built after May 1980).
2. All filled compartments, trimmed, shall be fitted with centreline
divisions extending for the full length of the compartment from
the underside of the deck or hatch cover to a depth below the
deck line equal to B/8 or 2.4 m whichever is greater.
Alternately saucering may be accepted, except for linseed or
other seeds with similar properties.
3. All free grain surfaces in partly filled compartments must be
trimmed level and secured in accordance with the grain code.
4. All tween deck covers must be in place and secured (to avoid a
large void space if grain is allowed to flow into the lower hold).
5. The GM requirement of 0.3 m as calculated in accordance with
the code.
The Master should demonstrate that the ship complies with these
requirements in the given proposed loading condition.
5.5 Contents of Grain loading booklet.
The Grain loading booklet should include the following information.
1. Ship’s particulars.
2. Light-ship displacement and the KG.
3. Table of liquid free surface corrections.
4. Capacities and centre of gravity of all compartments.
5. Curve or tables of angles of flooding where less than 40⁰, at
all permissible displacements.
6. Curves or tables of hydrostatic properties suitable for the
range of operating drafts.
7. Cross curves of stability which are sufficient to plot the GZ
curve and which include curves at 12⁰ and 40⁰.
8. Curves or tables of volumes, vertical centres of volumes, and
assumed volumetric heeling moments for every
compartment, for every compartment, filled or partly filled,
or combination thereof, including the effects of temporary
fittings.
9. Tables or curves of maximum permissible heeling moments
for varying displacements and varying vertical centres of
gravity to allow the Master to demonstrate compliance with
the grain code.
10. Details of the scantlings of temporary fittings provided to
meet the stability requirements.
11. Loading instructions in the form of notes summarising the
requirements of the code.
12. A worked example for the guidance of the Master,
Typical loaded arrival and departure conditions and intermediate

worst service conditions using stowage factors
1.25, 1.50, 1.75 m3 /tonne.

5.6 Methods to reduce Grain heeling moments in
order to meet Grain stability criteria & Separation
of different grain cargoes loaded in same
compartment.
Carriage of Grain on a vessel is influenced by, but not limited to;
 The possibility of settling,
 The possibility of shifting,
 The angle of repose and the
 Quantity of cargo booked for the loading in comparison to the
capacities of each hold.
Keeping the above in mind the primary job prior to loading grain is
to ascertain the expected heeling moments and then to keep the
calculated heeling moments below the allowable moments.
compartment.
Securing the cargoes as explained above is one of the methods to
achieve this, however redistribution of cargo must also be
considered. This could prove to be effective depending on the
amount of cargo to load. Keeping partly filled compartments to a
minimum will reduce the total heeling moment.
Another consideration is to reduce the KG or the displacement.
When two different types or grades of grain are to be loaded,

effective separation of cargo and their distribution would help in
minimising the total heeling moments.
compartment.
This is achieved as follows:
After the first grade is loaded, the grain surface is trimmed level
and covered with acceptable material such as burlap or plastic
sheets. Care must be taken to overlap the sheets so that the first
grade is not exposed. Next cover the surface with plywood sheets
of 15mm thickness. Add another layer of plastic sheets over the
plywood. Once the first grade is thus covered, the second grade
can be loaded on top. This way we are utilising the available
volume within the hold and thereby reducing the heeling
moments.

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Unit 5: Grain Cargoes

https://youtu.be/KV_1IuLHvWw - Grain Loading

Grain: A cultivated cereal or seed of a cereal is called grain. This

The term filled compartment, trimmed, refers to any cargo

The term partly filled compartment refers to any cargo space

The term “specially” suitable compartment refers to a cargo

Fumigation is carried out when insects/vermin are suspected to

Reasons for fumigating:

Three main reasons why fumigation may be necessary are:

• to destroy residual infestation from previous cargoes

• to fumigate a particular cargo, eg. malt, maize

• to comply with quarantine requirements.

If these insects are present after the cargo is discharged then in

Because of the nature of fumigants to be used, precautions will

• Because of the properties of some fumigants, smoking should not

• Prior to fumigation conduct a meeting between the shore staff

• Appropriate ventilation, proper notices and labels must be in

• Restrict access to unauthorized persons. Maintain a watch if

• After it has been ascertained that the space is safe, it must be

• If there is any doubt about the compartment, it should be entered

Securing of free grain surface:

When grain is loaded in a ship’s hold or for that matter in any

Further, the vessel may be nominated to load an amount below

Securing of grain in filled compartments can be carried out by:

Securing of grain in a partly filled compartment can be carried out

Longitudinal divisions may be fitted to reduce heeling moments

In Filled compartments the division shall extend downwards 0.6 m

The purpose of using a saucer shaped collection of bagged grain is

The dimensions of the saucer shall be as follows:

The third possibility for securing grain surfaces is “Bundling”.

Very similar to the strapping/Lashing method except that a wire

After the loading is completed, the grain shall be trimmed and

The wire mesh to be used is of 3mm dia steel wire having a

Where bagged grain or other suitable cargo is utilized for the

The platform or separation cloth shall be topped off with bagged

Instead of bagged grain, other suitable cargo tightly stowed and

A ship without a Document of Authorization must not load grain

The Document of Authorisation certifies that a ship is capable of

The Document of Authorization must accompany or be

The Document of Authorization, grain loading stability data and

A ship not having on board a Document of Authorisation (which

12. A worked example for the guidance of the Master,

Typical loaded arrival and departure conditions and intermediate

1.25, 1.50, 1.75 m3 /tonne.

Another consideration is to reduce the KG or the displacement.

When two different types or grades of grain are to be loaded,

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