Coal is one of the major cargos that are shipped every year in hundreds of millions of tons though it is no longer used as a major ship fuel.  Currently, coal is mostly shipped for power consumption and for industrial purposes such as steel production.  However, shipping coal is associated with several safety concerns for the dry bulk industry (Ott, 2012).  These safety concerns are attributable to the fact that coal can self-heat, ooze corrosive substances, generate explosive gases, and liquefy.  A ship (Ship M/V EVRIDIKI) managed by this operations department has been scheduled to load coal 42’ at port of Gladstone (Australia) on 20th November 2016 under a voyage charterparty.  The destination of this shipment is the port of Constanta in Romania.  The distance is 9510 nautical miles (8392 to Suez) and the discharging will be carried out with the ships’ gears.  Some of the important issues to consider in this shipment process include cargo handling information, sea voyage estimate, and information collected from agents during the voyage.

Analysis on Cargo Handling Information

Coal is a cargo that was deposited more than 300 million years ago through a mixture of geological and biochemical processes (Ott, 2012).  Ship M/V EVRIDIKI will transport large quantities of this cargo over a long distance.  The large quantities of coal to be transported by this ship is evidenced in its number and capacity of 5 x 30mt (which includes 1 Twin 60mt) while the long distance is 9510 nautical miles (8392 to Suez).  One of the major challenges in transporting such large quantities of this cargo is the likelihood of the coal to self-heat to the point of ignition.  This poses a serious threat and challenge to those handling this cargo, which implies that suitable cargo handling processes should be adhered to or carried out.  The need for suitable handling of the cargo is also fueled by the fact that one of the specifications of Ship M/V EVRIDIKI is electro-hydraulic type.  

One of the important aspects for handling this shipment of coal is communication with charterers or agents.  The agents should provide the Master with written information regarding the characteristics of the cargo and recommendations on safe procedures for handling, loading, and transporting the cargo.  Since this ship will be transporting large quantities of coal, the communication with the Master and charterers should entail providing information about the cargo’s specifications for sulfur content, moisture content, and size.  The Master should be informed whether this cargo is liable to self-heat or emission of methane since coal usually emits methane and is vulnerable to self-heating (CJA Marine Services Pte Ltd, 2010).  

The characteristics of Coal 42’ that...   This type of coal is commonly known as bituminous coal, which is the largest category of coals that are shipped across the globe.  This cargo has lower fixed carbon, relatively higher volatile matter and agglomerating and slagging characteristics.  The heating values of this cargo are between 10,500 and 14,000 British thermal units per pound (Btu/lb) on a wet, mineral-matter-free basis (US Environmental Protection Agency, n.d.).
The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargo (IMSBC) Code that provides guidelines for loading and carriage of coal requires Shippers to provide cargo characteristics before loading.  Consequently, the first step in stowage is to provide information on coal characteristics including size, moisture content, sulfur content, and liability or vulnerability to self-heating or emission of methane.  The Master should not accept the cargo until he/she is provided with such information to a satisfactory level as described above.  Once such information has been provided, the cargo should not be carried unless sufficient precautionary measures are undertaken to lessen the likelihood of a fire outbreak since coal is vulnerable to combustion or spontaneous heating.  The third step is the stowage plan is to ensure that the Ship has an instrument for measuring methane, oxygen and carbon monoxide and a way of evaluating pH values of bilge water samples (Ott, 2012).  Additionally, gas sampling ports should be in place on all holds and a means of evaluating cargo temperature should be established during loading and voyage.

Since this cargo is bituminous coal, it should not be loaded on the Ship if its temperature is beyond 55°C in order to minimize any chances of spontaneous heating or combustion.  Cargo hold preparation for this shipment should entail ventilating the holds for at least 24 hours or when the concentration of methane is acceptable.  In this case, the acceptable concentration of methane for the cargo is below 20% LEL.

When loading this cargo, the coal should be cautiously trimmed into the ends of compartments and wings to help realize a level stow while safeguarding against increase of pockets of methane beyond the stow (CJA Marine Services Pte Ltd, 2010).  Loading the cargo in the hatch square should involve using chutes and extra boards that help prevent any damages to the tank or banker top plating.

For crew protection, entry into a coal compartment should be restricted as a means of preventing any unprecedented events.  The crew should be provided with breathing apparatus while support personnel are put on standby to offer necessary assistance to those who enter into a coal compartment.  Prior to entering a coal compartment…