The Code of Safe Practice for

Solid Bulk Cargoes

• The problems involved in the transport of solid
bulk cargoes were recognized by the 1960
SOLAS Conference.
• At that time it was not possible to frame detailed
requirements except for the transport of grain
cargoes (chapter VI of SOLAS).
• However, it was agreed that an internationally
acceptable "Code of Safe Practice for the
Shipment of Bulk Cargoes" should be drawn up
and in 1965 the first Code of Safe Practice for
Bulk Cargoes was adopted by IMO.
 Cargo Handling
• Ships and cargos are getting larger and
larger.
• Larger stress forces are being placed on
bulk carrier hulls.
• Need for closer monitoring of vessel
during loading/discharging is required.
 The Code of Safe Practice for
Solid Bulk Cargoes
• The primary aim of the BC Code is to promote
safe stowage and shipment by:
– highlighting the dangers associated with the shipment
of certain types of bulk cargoes.
– giving guidance on the procedures to be adopted
when the shipment of bulk cargoes is contemplated.
– listing typical materials currently shipped in bulk,
together with advice on their properties, handling, etc.
– describing test procedures to be employed to
determine various characteristics of the materials to
be carried.
 The Code of Safe Practice for
Solid Bulk Cargoes
• The practices contained in the BC Code
are intended as recommendations to
governments, ship operators and Masters,
and bring the attention of those concerned
to internationally accepted methods of
dealing with the hazards which may be
encountered when carrying a cargo in
bulk.
 The Code of Safe Practice for
Solid Bulk Cargoes
• Before loading any bulk cargo it is essential to
obtain - normally from the shipper - the physical
and chemical properties of the cargo.
• The master has to be provided with loading
information sufficiently comprehensive to enable
him to arrange the loading of his ship so as not
to overstress the structure and to calculate the
stability of ship for the worst conditions
anticipated during the voyage.
 The Code of Safe Practice for
Solid Bulk Cargoes
• The BC Code also lists certain general
precautions such as the need to protect
machinery and the interior of the ship from
dust and to ensure that bilges and service
lines are in good order and not damaged
during loading.
 The Code of Safe Practice for
Solid Bulk Cargoes
• Some bulk cargoes are liable to oxidize, which
may result in the reduction of oxygen in a cargo
space, the emission of toxic fumes and the
generation of heat.
• Others may emit toxic fumes on becoming wet.
The shipper has to inform the master of any
chemical hazards which may exist and the BC
Code gives details of precautionary measures
which should be taken.
 The Code of Safe Practice for
Solid Bulk Cargoes
• Health hazards can also arise because of
dust inhalation. Some cargoes can create
dust or emit fumes which may create a
danger of explosion.
 The Code of Safe Practice for
Solid Bulk Cargoes
• The BC Code deals with three basic types
of cargoes:
– those cargoes which may liquefy (appendix
A);
– materials possessing chemical hazards
(appendix B); and.
– other materials not falling within these two
categories (appendix C).
High Density Cargo Loading
 Commodity & Freight Markets
• The Dry Cargo Market
– The bulk carrier market
– The tweendecker market
– The ro/ro market
– The liner market
– The special ship markets
• Heavy-lift markets
• Cable ships
Dry Cargo Freight Rates
 Major Trading Cities
• London
• New York
• Paris
• Tokyo
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• Beijing
What Causes Freight Markets to
Change?
• Change in the supply or demand for
tonnage.
• Change in the supply or demand for cargo.
• A change in the value of a particular
currency.
• A force majeur – crop failure or natural
disaster etc.
 Predicting Future Freight
Trends
• The Freight Futures Market.
• The Baltic Exchange.
• City of London Futures Exchange.
 Freight Indexes
• Baltic Freight Index.
– The Baltic Freight Index is a index of
estimated averages of dry bulk freight routes.
It is based on the most popular dry bulk
routes. The routes include Panamax and
Capesize routes, routes in the Atlantic ocean
and in Pacific basin. And finally it consists out
of specific grain, coal and iron ore routes.
 Dry Bulk Shipping
• Dry bulk shipping is vital to world trade
and industry.
• Some 95% of all transported commodities
and goods go by sea.
• Major and Minor Dry Bulk Commodities.
• Dry Bulk Carriers – Workhorses of the
world fleet.
• Freight & Freight Indexes.