DRY CARGOES- Inspection and Preparation of Holds

 

Inspection and Preparation of Holds

It is the carrier’s responsibility to demonstrate that due diligence was exercised and the ship was seaworthy to carry the cargo. Thus, a plan drafted comprehensively, covering all aspects of cargo carriage, will protect the shipowner from claims.

The following media explains about the Essential Steps to Ensure Due Diligence

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General Inspection of Holds

The cargo hold must be inspected by the cargo officer (Chief Officer) before commencing loading operation to ensure that the hold is suitable for the next cargo, and to eliminate the possibility of cargo damage due to contamination, ensure that all fittings are in good order.

The requirement of hold inspection after preparation of the cargo holds by cleaning/sweeping previous cargoes and de-rusting of holds, before loading break bulk or dry bulk cargoes is aimed at preventing damage or contamination or infestation of cargo to be loaded.

• Prevents claims for cargo loss due to contamination or infestation.

The hold inspection is also carried out for following reasons:

• Prevents delay of ship and following on/off hire disputes.
• Brings awareness to the ship's cargo officers and crew of the consequences of the situation.
• Safeguards the reputation of the shipping company 

Method of inspection

• If possible inspections to be carried out during daylight hours only.
• The cargo hatchcover is to be fully opened.
• Hand held lighting and extendable mirrors should be used to assist in inspections.
• Free from any previous cargo residues.
• Free from loose rust, scale or paint.  Painted surfaces must be properly applied and cured.
• Free from odours.
• Particular emphasis on previous cargo residue on overhead beams, hatch-end beams, hatch joints and hinges, frame brackets, pipe brackets, ladder ways, manhole covers, etc.
• In all ways in a suitable condition, fit and safe to receive and preserve the intended cargo.
• It is recommended that where practical, chalk should be used to mark the sides and ends of holds after a section has been inspected to ensure that no part of the superstructure is missed with the movement of the man-lift up and down or sideways for cleaning purposes.

Inspection of "Cargo holds" (PDF, 202kb) and handling equipment at regular interval is essential for their upkeep. Apart from ensuring the safety of the cargo and its delivery, this process plays a major role in defending cargo claims. Besides routine inspections, there may be situations when the hold space or the cargo handling equipment are damaged, either by the shipstaff or the "stevedore" (PDF, 231kb), when an immediate assessment is required for ascertaining the extent of the damage.

Items to be Inspected

Items to be inspected

1. General cleanliness (no rust or loose rust).
2. Spar ceiling.
3. Tween deck draining holes.
4. Bilge system (bilge well, strum box and non-return valve).
5. Sounding pipes, bilge and double bottom tanks).
6. Air vent pipes.
7. Electric cables, lighting and connections.
8. General condition of side shell, bulkheads, frames and beams.
9. Double bottom tank manholes.
10. Ventilation ducts.
11. Fire detection and fixed fire extinguishing systems.
12. Hatch cover, check for water tightness (any damaged rubber must be changed) (grease all moving parts including wheels, hinges and cleats).
13. Fixed hold ladders (repair or place temporary ladders).
14. Hold manholes on the weather deck. 

Importance of Cleaning Holds

Master should be aware of the nature and care to be taken during loading, discharging and carriage of the proposed cargo, well before ship reaches the loading port. 

This will help him to prepare the hold accordingly.

Knowing the stowage factor, broken stowage and the dimension of each package will help him to decide the maximum cargo loadable in his ship prior to booking of cargo.

Knowledge of the nature of cargo, such as whether the cargo is liable to deteriorate or taint other cargo and packaging, is very useful information.

It will help him to plan dunnage, securing, storage and ventilation requirement as well.

Knowing the type of packaging will help him to prepare slings.

Also this information is useful in giving guidelines for the safe loading to his cargo officers and the stevedores.

Using Dunnage

Dunnage is used:

1. To protect the cargoes coming into contact with rusted tank top; 
2. To prevent cargo damage due to ship sweat;
3. To facilitate ventilation when carrying agro products;
4. To spread the weight of heavy cargo in order not to exceed load density;
5. To prevent chaffing between heavy cargoes;
6. During securing cargoes to prevent chaffing;
7. For separation of cargo.

Dunnage is mainly of wood. Wooden dunnage should be used cautiously. 

Fresh timber dunnage may taint the cargo hence dunnage made from seasoned timber can be used. 

Tainted, oily, greasy, infested with insects and wet dunnage should not be used. 

Although the dunnage appears to be dry, it can have a large amount of water content. Wooden dunnage containing more than 15% of moisture is not accepted for some moisture sensitive cargo. 

Wet dunnage will cause the steel deck or tank top to rust. 

Dunnage contaminated by previous chemical or dangerous cargo should never be used for edible cargo. 

Sawdust accumulated while sawing the dunnage should be removed.

Disposing dunnage after usage in some port is prohibited because of local regulations. Many countries are averse to importing foreign insects. 

Throwing dunnage at sea is also prohibited. It can only be disposed of where there are reception facilities available.

In order to overcome the difficulties of using wooden dunnage, plastic dunnage and sheets, tarpaulins and air bags are being used nowadays.

Air bag Dunnage

Using Spar Ceiling

Spar ceiling

The side frames in a cargo hold are there as strengthening members. To prevent cargo coming in contact with the shipside, lengths of thick pieces of wood are fitted on the frames, horizontally in the fore and aft direction. These are called spar ceilings (or cargo battens). They are held in place by cleats welded on the frames. The spar ceiling may be removed when loading bulk cargo.

The wooden sheathing prevent the packages of cargo from damage by moisture which may collect on the sides of the ship. The space between the spar ceiling and the ship's side helps to provide air space around the cargo and thereby improves ventilation. The spar ceiling should always be kept clean.

Spar ceiling may also be found on the engine room bulkhead of the hold to prevent the cargo coming in contact with the relatively warm engine room bulkhead.