Bulletin Issue 11/12 February 2012 20 February 2012 Loading of iron ore fines at Indian ports – protective pre-loading surveys Reference is made to the Association’s bulletin of October 2009 dealing with the implementation of a precautionary survey programme and the subsequent circular of December 2010, more generally dealing with the safe shipment of iron ore fines from Indian ports including an overview of incidents involving liquefaction, obligations under the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code), specific problems encountered at Indian ports and the Managers’ recommended precautions. Members are reminded of their overriding obligation to ensure that iron ore fines cargoes to be carried comply with the IMSBC Code and the Managers continue to recommend the precautions listed below:Recommended precautions 1. Loading should not be commenced until the Master is in possession of all requisite cargo information and documentation/certificates that a shipper is obliged to provide under the IMSBC Code or local regulations and the Master is satisfied that the cargo is safe to load and carry. 2. Following consultation with the Association, a surveyor should be appointed on behalf of the ship in advance of loading to assist the Master. It may in any event be a local requirement to do so. However, it should be made clear to the port and competent authorities, shippers and charterers that the appointment of a surveyor by the ship is not intended to and does not relieve the shipper of his obligations under the IMSBC Code or local regulations.  The Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association Limited Managers Tindall Riley (Britannia) Limited Regis House 45 King William Street London EC4R 9AN Tel +44 (0)20 7407 3588 Fax +44 (0)20 7403 3942 Britanniapandi.com The terms of the surveyor’s appointment should include the following: (a) To assist the Master with compliance with his obligations under the IMSBC Code and local regulations. (b) To contact and liaise with shippers to identify the stockpiles from which the cargoes are to be shipped on the subject vessel and to ensure that representative samples are correctly taken in accordance with sections 4.4 and 4.6 of the IMSBC Code. (c) To take owners’ own representative samples for testing in an independent competent laboratory. (d) To compare the shipper’s certificate with owners’ own test results for TML and moisture content. Masters should be wary of moisture content certificates provided by the shipper’s laboratory and moisture content percentages that are very close to the TML. If there is significant rainfall between the time of testing and the time of loading the shipper must conduct test checks. (e) To monitor the loading operation from start to finish, paying particular attention to the weather conditions and the presence of any moist cargo, particularly in barges. (f) To stop loading if further moisture and/or can tests are conducted, as necessary, on any parts of the cargo presented for shipment (sections 4.5.2 and 8.4 of the IMSBC Code). (g) To monitor the stockpiles and/or barges to ensure that the cargo presented for shipment is from the designated and tested stockpiles and/or barges. This will involve keeping a careful tally and identification of barges offered for loading. (h) To ensure loading is suspended during periods of rainfall. (i) To examine carefully cargo offered for loading from uncovered barges and if in any doubt of the moisture content, conduct ‘can’