Recent world events have had the effect of lengthening transit times which continues to put considerable pressure on the capacity of the world’s container fleet and the cost of shipping containerized cargo.
As a result, Assureds operating bulk carriers and general cargo vessels are likely to see more requests to carry containers, flexible bulk containers (“jumbo bags”) and other cargoes that are otherwise usually carried in containers. Requests to load those cargoes in the same holds as breakbulk and steel cargoes are also more likely.
Details of the risks associated with transporting this type of mixed cargo are set out in the below publications:
https://www.londonpandi.com/Media/2994/6797-lp-focus-v3.pdf
and
https://www.londonpandi.com/Media/2815/6651-stoploss-update-containers-v2.pdf
These cargoes are to be loaded, stowed and secured in accordance with all applicable IMO regulations including SOLAS, the Cargo Stowage Manual (CSM), the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS) Code and the IMDG Code. In addition, the carriage of chemicals in jumbo bags brings with it the risk of spillage and potential incompatibility or reaction between the chemicals and other cargoes to be loaded which may require an evaluation from a chemist.
The P&I cover may be prejudiced in case of non-compliance with the all-applicable regulations as adopted by the Flag State (as mentioned above) and the Association strongly recommends that sufficient steps are taken, both before and after agreeing to such transport, to supervise or to procure the supervision of the loading, stowage and securing of such cargoes to ensure compliance with those regulations.