The London P&I Club has renewed its warning to shipowners, operators, and charterers over the risks linked to loading dry chemicals in Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBCs), and the handling of jumbo bags with the launch of a new video that provides loss prevention advice.
The alert follows several incidents involving cargo fires and damage—particularly on bulk carriers and general cargo ships, with many cases reported at Chinese ports. The Club warns that failure to strictly comply with all relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations and guidance governing the storage and handling of jumbo bags could even prejudice P&I cover.
To help industry to understand the risks associated with incorrect stowage and handling of jumbo bags, the Club has developed a detailed video case study of a fictional bulk carrier MV Calm Sea, which can be used by vessel owners, operators and charterers, crew and port agents as a training resource for identifying risks, liabilities and best practices.
Watch the video on YouTube:
Given prevailing market conditions, assureds operating bulk carriers and general cargo vessels are receiving frequent requests to load jumbo bags in the same holds as breakbulk and steel cargoes or to store different bagged chemicals in the same hold.
Ian Barr, Chief Claims Officer at The London P&I Club highlighted that in cases of different bagged chemicals being stowed together, chemical contamination and reactions can lead to on-board vessel fires, which can result in the total loss of the entire contents of the hold and large claims.
He said, “Serious problems also occur when FIBCs are stored incorrectly with breakbulk or steel cargoes, which can damage the integrity of the jumbo bags and cause significant spillage leading to delays, fines or claims. These cargoes may look harmless, but can be potentially very dangerous if not stowed and handled appropriately.
”We want to support the wider industry by raising awareness and helping operators globally to mitigate the risk of incidents and claims. We strongly urge owners, operators, charterers and Masters to use this resource and to be extra vigilant when developing stowage plans and loading FIBCs and other big bags onboard. They should alert their P&I Club so that assistance can be sought from qualified industry experts before proceeding,” he stressed.
P&I cover may be prejudiced in the case of non-compliance with applicable regulations as adopted by the Flag State in relation to the storage of jumbo bags. This includes the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the Cargo Securing Manual (CSM), the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS) Code and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG) Code.
Loss Prevention Advice for handling jumbo bags:
- Ensure all cargo is stowed in accordance with the ship’s Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) and Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code).
- Chemicals offered for carriage in jumbo bags are more commonly carried at much lower risk in ISO containers.
- Unexpected risks can exist when chemicals comes into contact with each other and are unlikely to be identified in the MSFS (Material Safety Data Sheets).
- Triage all chemicals offered for carriage in jumbo bags, when more than one commodity is carried in a hold.
- Use industry experts to identify unexpected risks of these chemicals.
- The Club should be contacted to assist members in obtaining expert advice.