Ingress of ballast water into holds is one typical reason of wet damage, which is one of the major types of cargo claims. This may be a case of unseaworthiness, which might deprive the owners of their rights to enjoy exclusions under carriage of goods by sea and charter parties. Recently the clubs were reported a case in which pressing up ballast tanks caused cargo wet damage and thus we kindly remind you of the necessity to manage your ballast tanks accordingly.
In addition to the case above, there are other similar situations which should be drawn attentions to, such as stevedore grab damage during discharge to the ballast side tank and corrosion holes in ballast pipes and tanks.
Most of the cargo loss or damage resulting cargo claims can be prevented by a proper maintenance of vessels and proper care of cargo. Leakage of ballast water into holds is not an exception. Please refer to Bulletin 816 provided by UK Club for details.
For what owners could do to predominate in similar cargo wet damage cases, we hereby provide what you should pay attention to as follows.
Once in berth, it is necessary to record details of starts, stoppages and completions of cargo work and transfers of cargo handling equipment, along with tonnages and positions of ballast, soundings observed, and tonnages and conditions of cargo advised or calculated. These might be an evidence of good defence facing claims.
If wet damage is found during the voyage, master and crewmembers should take early action to mitigate the loss. If the cargo damage was not found until discharging, the owners should make immediate notification to us and thus obtain assistance to seek amicable resolutions with cargo receivers and charterers.
When discharging, owners should try best to separate the goods of good condition from the wet goods and further convince the consignees to take delivery of the good cargoes as soon as possible to mitigate the loss. Please do notice that do not let consignees take damaged cargoes away or mix up cargoes of good condition and cargoes suffering wet damage. This is to avoid any exaggeration of losses in case the consignees and their surveyors act maliciously. Usually, joint surveys in which owners and consignees both participate in would be appropriate for the cargo side to accept the result.
See attached file : ALCO20120032Ballast tanks causing cargo wet damage.pdf ;Bulletin 816.pdf
压载舱引起货物湿损
压载舱水渗漏入货舱是引起货物湿损的典型原因之一，而湿损在货物申索中又是主要类型之一。这可能会是一个船舶不适航的案件，从而可能会使船东方丧失在货物运输及租船合同项下的免责权。近期保赔协会收到了一个按压压载舱而导致货物湿损的案件，我司谨提醒贵司做好压载舱管理之必要性。
除了上述案件之外，还有其他类似的可能导致湿损的情况也需要提醒您关注，比如在卸货中因装卸中的抓斗作业而使压载边舱受损坏，又比如压载水输送管和压载舱的腐蚀损坏。
大多数的货物受损申索都能够通过适当的船舶检修和适当管货来减少其发生的可能性。压载舱漏水致损也并不例外。请参考英国保赔协会第816号公告来获得细节指导。
为了使船东方能在类似的货物湿损案件中取得有利的地位，我司谨在此提醒您以下需要关注的事项。
一旦到达泊位，船东方有必要记录下货物装卸及处理作业之开始、暂时中止和完成的所有细节，并且记录下压载水的吨数和位置、观察到的压载舱水深，以及被告知或计算出的货物吨数和货物状况。此记录可能会成为船东方抗辩的有力证据。
若在航行过程中发现货物湿损的现象，船长和船员应当尽快采取措施来减损。若直到卸货时才发现有湿损的现象，那么船东方应立即通知我司，我司将会协助您与收货人以及承租人沟通来寻求可被您接受的解决方案。
在卸货时，船东方应尽力将好货和坏货分开，并说服收货人尽快接受好货来减少损失。在此要提醒您注意的是请不要让收货人将受损的货物提走或将坏货掺入好货提走。这是为了防止在收货人或其检验人恶意的情况下，会有货损被夸大的可能。通常地，船东方和收货人都参与的联合检验对货方更有说服力，从而使货方接受检验结果。
以上由 ANDREW LIU & CO.,LTD 编译，应以英文为准！
详细信息请参阅附件。
