Loss Prevention 05 Jan, 2026 Group A IMSBC Cargoes - The Rain Loading Dilemma Marcus Winchester Loss Prevention Officer The Club has recently seen several instances regarding loading bulk cargoes that are categorised as Group A cargoes under the IMSBC Code during precipitation. Group A cargoes should never be loaded where it has been determined that the moisture content of the cargo exceeds the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML). It is therefore understandable that some vessels opt to restrict the amount of moisture that the cargo is exposed to by avoiding loading during periods of precipitation. However, the IMSBC Code does allow loading of Group A cargoes in certain situations.  Download PDF Several Group A cargo schedules within the IMSBC Code have specific  provisions in place for wet weather loading, such as: The moisture content of the cargo shall be kept less than its TML during loading operations and the voyage; Unless expressly provided otherwise in the   individual schedule, the cargo shall not be handled during precipitation; Unless expressly provided otherwise in the individual schedule, during handing of the cargo, all non-working hatches of the cargo spaces into which the cargo is loaded, or to be loaded, shall be closed; The cargo may be handled during precipitation under the conditions stated in the procedures required in 4.3.3 of the Code; and The cargo in a cargo space may be discharged during precipitation provided that the total amount of cargo in the cargo space is to be discharged in the port. Point 1 emphasises that the priority when loading any Group A cargo is ensuring that the moisture content of the cargo is kept below the TML at all times throughout the loading period.  Point 4 is perhaps the most pertinent point in regard to loading in the rain and makes reference to Section 4.3.3 of the IMSBC Code. This requires that procedures for sampling, testing and controlling the moisture content are in place to ensure that the