Loss Prevention Advice
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Following recent tragic incidents involving coconut oil and its derivatives, NorthStandard P&I Club draws attention to a critical but often underestimated risk in the maritime industry: toxic gas generation in cargo tanks carrying vegetable oils.
As explained by Manish Nayyar, Senior Loss Prevention Executive at NorthStandard, contrary to common perception, vegetable oils—particularly coconut oil and its derivatives, pose significant atmospheric hazards in enclosed spaces. Understanding these risks are crucial for safe operations. In particular:
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) Generation: CCNO contains higher levels of impurities and has lower stability compared to refined products. When heated or agitated, it can release carbon monoxide—a colorless, odorless, and deadly gas.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): CFAD contains medium-chain fatty acids (capric acid C10, lauric acid C12) that vaporize when heated or agitated, creating flammable atmospheres and displacing oxygen.
- Oxygen Displacement: Vaporization and chemical reactions can rapidly deplete oxygen levels, creating asphyxiation hazards—even when initial readings appear safe.
- Dynamic Atmospheric Changes: Safe pre-entry readings do not guarantee continued safety. Cargo movement (circulation, heating, stripping) can release trapped gases, transforming a “safe” atmosphere into a lethal one.
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Dangerous goods quick reference guide regarding flammable substances and outlining dos and don’ts on handling those Class 4 cargoes.
Class 4 dangerous goods include flammable solids and substances that can ignite spontaneously or emit flammable gases when in contact with water. These pose risks such as property damage, cargo damage, injury, environmental harm, insurance invalidation, and potential criminal prosecution.
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Ukrainian naval drones struck and disabled a sanctioned tanker on 10 December as it transited Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
The vessel, identified as the Dashan, part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” is the third Russia-linked ship hit in the region in two weeks. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the Dashan was traveling at maximum speed with its AIS transponder switched off when explosions tore through its stern, causing “critical damage.” The tanker, under EU and U.K. sanctions and sailing without a clear flag registry.
Video provided by the agency shows several Sea Baby drones racing toward the tanker before powerful blasts erupt at the rear of the ship. Maritime security sources also confirmed the strike, though no casualties have been reported.
Ukraine says the attack is part of an intensified effort to disrupt Russia’s wartime oil revenues. “The SBU continues active measures to reduce oil-dollar revenues to the Russian budget. In the last two weeks, this is already the third disabled tanker of the ‘shadow fleet’ that helped the Kremlin circumvent international sanctions,” the SBU source said to Kyiv Independent.
Analysts note that the pressure has already pushed war-risk insurance costs for Black Sea shipping sharply higher.
Watch the video at the following link.
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Bulk carriers where non-compliance with the requirements of SOLAS Chapter XII, Regulation 13.1 was identified in the forecastle space dewatering system manually operated suction valves.
On bulk carriers and in accordance with SOLAS Regulation XII/13.1, MSC/Circ.1069 and IACS UI SC179, the arrangements for draining and pumping ballast tanks located forward of the collision bulkhead and the bilges of any dry space extending forward of the foremost cargo hold, shall be capable of being brought into operation from a readily accessible enclosed space.
This enclosed space shall be accessible from the navigation bridge or the propulsion machinery control position without the need to walk across open-deck areas (i.e. exposed free board or superstructure decks).
Findings from inspections
During recent inspections on two different bulk carriers from different owners/managers, the following cases in forecastle dewatering system manually operated suction valves were observed:
- 1st Case: The suction valve was found in the closed position with a warning sign instructing the crew to keep it closed while in port to avoid accidental discharges.
- 2nd Case: A label above the dewatering valve stated: “DO NOT OPEN WITHOUT CHIEF OFFICER’S PERMISSION”.