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Subject: Dangerous Bulk Cargoes Author: Nicki Smith [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 02:04:32 04/28/04 Wed I have just received a message from the Cargoes and Ship Port Interface Manager of Canada who is a member of the working group on the revision of the BC Code which I have chaired for 5 years now. I request your help because the following information need urgent further research and consideration: 1) M.V. YTHAN suffered four rapid hatch explosions on 28 February 2004 resulting in six deaths and the sinking of the vessel approximately 30 minutes after the first explosion. It seems that a "burp" was first heard in hold # 1, then a massive explosion followed in hold # 5 making the Engine Room bulkhead collapse and killing 5 crew members in the E/R control room. This was followed by explosion in holds # 3 and # 4. The master was on deck at the time and was killed by a hatch cover from hold # 4. 2) M.V. SWIFT FAIR arrived at Shanghai 5/6 February 2004 and following the assistance of a fire expert and mechanical ventilation, the hydrogen gas levels were brought under control. The vessel had high LEL percentages during the entire voyage. 3) M.V. CALIFORNIA suffered multiple hatch explosions on 28 August 2003. The damaged vessel made port in Almeria, Spain. Two crew were injured. All three vessels were loaded at Palua, Venezuela. All three vessels were chartered by the same company. All three vessels had loaded a cargo described with various trade names: - COMSIGUA Metallized Fine (HBI Fine) - Hot Briquetted Iron Fine - HBI Fine - Finos de Briquetas de Orinoco Iron - REMET Fines (HBI) - Metalic HBI Fines - REMET Fines (Orinoco Iron) - Orinoco Iron REMET Fines None of these names appear in either the BC or IMDG Codes. This product should not be confused with either HBI or DRI. The best description for this cargo is dust. For the most part it is all fines, like a very small diameter black sand. It is the byproduct of the manufacturing process of HBI and the handling of the briquettes and is usually collected and stowed outside near the loading berth. Both DRI (BC Code 015) and HBI (BC Code 016) physical property descriptions note they must have less than 5% fines. Through an exothermic reaction this product appears to rapidly produce a large quantity of hydrogen gas with a very small moisture content and is thus capable of developing a sudden self ignition. Moreover, the gas explosion could also lead to a dust explosion. It would also be useful to know about the shipper's declaration and the instructions and procedures on board these three ships. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Subject Author Date Re: Dangerous Bulk Cargoes Tony 16:30:38 07/01/04 Thu Re: Dangerous Bulk Cargoes Samuel Bull 06:03:26 06/18/05 Sat