BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION JANUARY 2024 ENSURING CARGO HOLDS ARE CLEANED TO APPROPRIATE STANDARDS IS AN ESSENTIAL FOR SHIPOWNERS OPERATING BULK CARRIERS. CARGO HOLD CLEANING STANDARDS Failure to meet these standards can lead to cargo damage, noncompliance with regulations, pollution, and significant delays in operations, all of which can lead to claims. Understanding the hold cleanliness requirements is often instrumental when analysing major claims. Typically, the Charterer establishes hold cleanliness requirements, which vary based on the previous cargo, the future cargo, local regulations, and any specific cargo interest requirements. For example, ships calling at Australian ports typically have more stringent regulations in terms of cleanliness, and a low biosecurity tolerance, particularly with grain cargoes. The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code also stipulates “hold cleanliness” requirements that must be followed when carrying cargoes listed within the Code. Cargo schedules mostly specify that special requirements are not required, or that the holds should be clean and dry in accordance with the cargo hazards. Others contain more specific advice, such as the entry for SULPHUR (formed, solid), which states that the hold should not be washed with seawater. HOLD INSPECTIONS REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CARGO HOLD SHOULD BE CONDUCTED AS PART OF A DOCUMENTED PLANNED MAINTENANCE SYSTEM WITHIN THE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SMS). After every discharge and subsequent cleaning, holds should also be inspected by a responsible officer with any defects noted and repaired promptly. Typical areas of inspection include: 2 | BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION | GUIDANCE • Hold framing • Structural access points (ladders, handrails etc.) • Condition of hatch covers and all associated parts (trackways, hatch rubbers etc.) • Paint coating condition • Bilge system • Light fittings • Tank top areas • Pipework within the hold • Fixed firefighting systems Managers should establish effective practices for cleaning areas that may be difficult to access or inspect, such as stiffeners under the deck in hold ends, which may require specialist equipment such as cherry pickers. CLEANLINESS STANDARDS Figure 1 shows definitions of common industry standard cleanliness requirements, as well as cargoes that may be associated with the different levels of cleanliness. The cargoes listed are provided only as a reference and Charterer’s instructions and/or hold cleanliness standards listed within the IMSBC Code must be followed. Hospital clean is the highest cleanliness level and is normally only met by ships exclusively trading specific cargoes, with it rarely being seen in the tramp trades. Grain clean is the most common of requirements, particularly if the ship has not been fixed for the next cargo. It is worth noting that when cleaning to “load on top” standards, the remaining cargo residues will not facilitate a full inspection of the hold for any damages. LEVEL OF CLEANLINESS DEFINITIONCARGOES THAT MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS LEVEL OF CLEANLINESS Hospital cleanHospital clean requires the holds to be completely clean, dry, and free of all loose scale. It also requires fully intact paintwork of all surfaces in the hold. • Chrome Ore • Fertiliser • Fluorspar • Mineral sand • Rice in bulk • Soda Ash FIGURE 1 CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE 3 | BRITANNIA LOSS PREVENTION | GUIDANCE LEVEL OF CLEANLINESS DEFINITIONCARGOES THAT MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH T