The North P&I Club has launched a poster to help seafarers identify ore types to cut the risk of[ds_preview] further losses of ships and crews carrying ore cargoes that may liquefy at sea. Entitled »Ore Cargo Types«, the poster provides a quick visual reference for seafarers on the typical particle size and appearance of the main types of ore cargo – fines, concentrates, pellets, lump ore and lateritic ore. The latter includes nickel ore cargoes, liquefaction of which has led to the loss of five ships in the past 18 months along with the lives of 66 seafarers. »The poster contains scaled colour photographs of each ore type along with a brief physical description, including liquefaction behaviour and categorisation under the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code«, says North’s loss-prevention manager Andrew Glen. Longer term the Club intends to use the notifications to identify organisations that are not following the requirements of the IMSBC Code. Similar Circulars have been issued by all other Clubs in the International Group.
