Image for representation purposes only Bulk carriers carrying elemental sulphur cargoes in the Strait of Hormuz are at significant risk of accelerated structural corrosion, with some vessels having remained at anchorage for more than three times the standard cargo protection period, marine consultancy Brookes Bell has warned. Arron Jackaman, Director of Non-Destructive Testing at Brookes Bell, has urged shipowners, P&I clubs, and hull and machinery insurers to assess the condition of affected dry bulk carriers as soon as possible in order to avoid potential damage and financial loss. The risk stems from the limited working life of the protective treatment applied to cargo holds before loading, and how far that protection might have already been exceeded on vessels delayed in the Strait. Elemental sulphur is loaded into bulk carrier holds prepared with a limewash hold block coating, designed to act as a barrier between the cargo and the vessel’s steel structure. Once loaded, the cargo is dampened with a water mist to provide protection for approximately 20 days, after which the steel is exposed. Once moisture and sulphur come into contact with unprotected steel, an acidic environment can develop, promoting the formation of iron sulphide corrosion products and driving rapid, localised pitting corrosion at rates far exceeding normal seawater exposure. With some vessels in the Strait of Hormuz having remained at anchorage for upwards of 60 days, Jackaman noted that this protection period has been significantly exceeded and has warned about the risk of further damage to bulk carriers stuck in the region. “The hold block for carrying sulphur cargoes has a standard working life of around 20 days. Where vessels have been at anchorage for two months or more, that protection has long since been exhausted. The corrosion that can develop once exposed steel is subjected to prolonged contact with sulphur and moisture is orders of magnitude more aggressive than nor