key measures that can be implemented to avoid claims and issues when handling bagged rice cargo.
What is the issue with bagged rice?
As the Club explains, rice is a hygroscopic cargo, sensitive to temperature and humidity, either of which can have a detrimental impact on the quality of the rice cargo and which can in turn result in claims. Typical claims can include cargo shortages, contamination and mould damage, which could be due to sweat, water ingress, infestation or for temperature related issues where for example the cargo has been loaded too close to the ship’s engine room bulkheads or other sources of heat such as fuel oil tanks with heating arrangements.
Pre-Load Planning
- Preload check lists are undertaken per the vessels SMS procedures.
- Cargo holds cleaning being carried out to the grain standard, requiring that, prior to loading, the holds be swept to remove residue of previous cargo, lashing material, loose rust scale and paint flakes, etc. then washed down and rinsed with fresh water, dried and well ventilated, and that they be free of insects and any odor. Light atmospheric rusting of exposed steel may be acceptable but loose scale or paint, such that it may become detached and mix with the cargo, is not. Special attention is required for the areas which are difficult to reach such as those areas behind sounding or air pipes, cable guard plates or high up on brackets where there is the chance previous cargoes may have been missed and become dislodged.
- Cargo hold bilges are to be thoroughly cleaned, dry and free of odour. The entire bilge system to be fully functional tested and maintained as per the PMS, this is to include testing of non-return valves and bilge alarms (where fitted). Similarly, for the ballast water system a documented hydrostatic test is to be completed to verify structural integrity and watertightness of the ballast tanks and to confirm that the ballast system is tested and fully operational.
- Ensuring that any sounding and vent pipes for the bilges, ballast or fuel tanks that pass through a cargo hold are not damaged and are free of any obstructions, with appropriate closing arrangements in place.
- Manhole covers and openings located within, or leading to the cargo holds are to be properly secured, sealed and checked to prevent possible water or fuel ingress.
- Weathertightness of hatch covers & sealing arrangements – Water ingress into the cargo holds in adverse weather conditions can result in wetting damage claims and therefore cargo hold hatch covers must be inspected. The inspection shall involve checking of hatch coamings, ensuring that drain channels are clear of debris and non-return valves are in good working order. Compression bars should be smooth, free of rust and not distorted, and hatch cover rubber seals and their landing pads (bearing pads) are to be in good condition. Securing devices, including cleats and cross joint wedges, should be fully operational and properly adjusted, and engaged before sailing. The club recommends that Ultrasonic Testing (UST) of hatch covers be undertaken to better ensure that the hatch covers are weathertight prior to the commencement of loading operation.
- Hold ventilation system tested as per SMS procedures, ensuring that it is fully functional and capable of being securely closed in the event of any adverse weather condition or in the event of an emergency.
Fumigation
Rice is a cargo that may be liable to infestation and is therefore required to be fumigated. Fumigation is a process that is intended to prevent insects, pests, and potentially rodents that may be concealed within plant products from infestation of the cargo.
The fumigation of cargo holds is covered by SOLAS Ch. VI – Part A – Regulation 4 – The use of pesticides in ships, which refers to MSC.1/Circ.1264 – Recommendations on the Safe Use of Pesticides in Ships Applicable to the Fumigation of Cargo Holds, which was amended by MSC.1/Circ.1396.
There are three main types of infestation:
- Introduced – brought on board with plant and animal cargoes.
- Cross – transfer to other cargoes
- Residual – left in cargo holds from previous cargoes.
For fumigation of rice cargo, the following should be considered:
- Appointing a certified and reputable fumigator-in-charge and team of fumigators.
- Certificate of fumigation and clear guidance from the fumigating company detailing the type of fumigant and quantity used together with clear concise instructions advising the crew when to start ventilating.
- Detailed instructions, training, and equipment for monitoring gas concentrations during the course of the voyage in void spaces and crew accommodation.
- Once fumigation has been undertaken the cargo holds are to be considered an Enclosed Space and NO ENTRY signs are to be posted at all cargo hold access points. There is to be no entry into the cargo holds until such time as the holds have been well ventilated and certified gas free by a competent chemist.
Full advisory at the following link: