UK P&I is promoting the liquefaction ‘can-test’ as a means to help avoid loss of life arising from cargo liquefaction. Over the past decade, at least 100 seafarers have lost their lives due to incidents which have been attributed to bulk cargoes liquefying at sea.
Senior Claims Director Alan Speed looks at the dangers of cargo liquefaction and the steps operators can take to mitigate the risk. “The issue of liquefaction remains high on the UK Club’s Loss Prevention agenda. Solid bulk cargoes such as unprocessed mineral ores and refined mineral concentrates have certain characteristics that, although they may appear to be in a dry, granular state upon loading, contain enough moisture to become fluid under the compaction and vibration that occurs during a voyage. The resulting cargo shift can be sufficient to capsize a vessel and sadly cost lives.
Continue reading “Simple liquefaction ‘can-test’ could help prevent the risk”
