Posted on: 25 November 2020
Standard Club, Intercargo and DNV GL have collaborated to launch a new cargo and cargo hold ventilation guide to provide vessel masters and crew with an understanding of different ventilation requirements for bulk cargoes.
In today’s market, ships carry a wide variety of dry cargoes, all with different ventilation requirements depending on the cargo characteristic, voyage, and the weather conditions. Proper ventilation is essential to preventing damage to the cargo and to ensure the safety of the crew and vessel in bulk carriers.
“Ventilating the cargo is not merely allowing the outside air into the cargo hold, but it involves a precise process where a number of factors need to be considered. Failing to adhere to the requirement may cause cargo damage and result in large losses.,” said Yves Vandenborn, Director of Loss Prevention, at Standard Club.
Standard Club continues to see high numbers of wet cargo damage claims, caused either by fresh water or seawater, but the most serious damage is due to condensation. Inadequate ventilation and poor stowage may result in caked and mouldy dry cargoes, or rusty steel cargoes.
This guide aims to provide ship’s masters and crew with a clear and concise understanding of the ventilation requirements for various cargoes and covers the main aspects on how and when to ventilate to control the humidity and to remove flammable and toxic gases released from cargoes. In addition, fumigation issues and the entry of ship’s personnel into confined spaces are addressed. The guide also sets out the regulatory requirements related to ventilation and includes case studies which illustrate practical examples on what can go wrong when correct ventilation and stowage procedures are not followed.
A copy of the guide is available here.
