Loss Prevention Advice
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It is common for ships to receive requests from cargo interests to blend, commingle, dye, or dope liquid bulk cargoes. These processes are often carried out to meet specific market requirements, adhere to regulatory standards, or customise the product for end-user needs.
Blending or Commingling?
The terms ‘blending’ and ‘commingling’ are often used interchangeably in the shipping industry when two or more different parcels of liquid bulk cargo are loaded into the same cargo tank.
According to SOLAS Chapter VI, Regulation VI/5-2, physical blending is defined as ‘the process whereby the ship’s cargo pumps and pipelines are used to internally circulate two or more different cargoes with the intent to achieve a cargo with a new product designation’. Blending may also involve loading different products into the same cargo tank to achieve a new product with a new specification (a blend mixture), without the need for internal circulation using pumps or pipelines.
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A surveyor to assist a master with the loading of a bulk ore cargo. The loading was fast, and the cargo was poured into the holds from a loading spout. Upon reviewing images of the loaded cargo after the ship had departed, it became evident that the cargo was piled high in the centre of the hold and had not been ‘trimmed’ to the sides.
The process of trimming is important for many reasons:
- Ship stability: At sea, the ship and cargo will be subject to longitudinal and lateral forces. If the cargo piles collapse to one side, this can affect overall stability of the vessel due to the shift of weight and could endanger it
2. Minimising air in the cargo: Effective trimming will minimise the volume of air entering the cargo. The greater the amount of air within the cargo, the more likely it will be to self-heat, if relevant, such as for various Group B cargoes
3. Weight distribution: To ensure an even weight distribution across the tank top with respect to tank top weight limitations. In practice this means spreading the cargo as widely as practicable to the boundary of the cargo space to prevent excessive loading on the tank top (or tween deck if applicable)
4. Regulatory compliance: Trimming may be required by regulation, such as the requirements within the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) code or the Grain code
5. Efficiency in discharging: A properly trimmed level cargo will generally make unloading operations more efficient and reduces the likelihood of uncontrolled shifting during discharging operations.
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Crew members passing through Kinshasa are advised to stay off the streets due to ongoing riots and safety risks. Despite the unrest, port operations in Kinshasa and Matadi continue as normal, and transit remains open. Stay informed and remain vigilant.
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The South African Revenue Service (“SARS”) has been cracking down on compliance in respect of petroleum products, including the provision of bunkers to foreign going vessels.
Full advisory at the following link.