Rice cargo protection

Allied Maritime, has developed a new procedure for the protection of bagged rice cargoes, a type of cargo often exposed to the threat of condensation damage.

According to Dimitris Marinis, Manager of Allied Maritime Inc., they have been experiencing several incidents of damage to rice cargoes. Most commonly, this is caused by ship sweat during freights between South East Asia and West Africa . In this area, the substantial variance in sea water temperatures increases the danger of condensation.

Traditionally, rice cargoes are protected through the use of bamboo mats and sticks. However, bamboo is known to absorb ship sweat. Sometimes the bamboo itself is too fresh, meaning that the bamboo contains humidity. Both scenarios give an increased risk of cargo damage.

The secret of success

So what is Allied Maritime doing to protect their cargos? Quite simply, they've overcome condensation damage by using a mix of kraft paper, plastic and styrofoam.

The three materials are used as follows:

• Kraft paper and plastic at tank tops and hopper tanks
• Styrofoam on the ship's sides, on the forward bulkhead of no.1, on the engine room bulkhead and under the deck between the hatch covers
• Kraft paper on all other bulkheads In addition to the above, it is recommended

that cargo is placed within the corrugated bulkheads. In this way, the problem of bags falling from the top and bursting, resulting in cargo shortages at the first ports, is also eliminated.

Allied Maritime's experience

– After starting this new practice, we have seen a considerable improvement, says Mr. Marinis. – Successive use of these materials, and especially the styrofoam, shows that condensation damage is significantly reduced. The reason is that

temperature differences within the holds become much lower, and they no longer reach the levels seen when bamboo mats and sticks were used.

A good example is the discharge of 890,000 bags of rice at Buenaventura by our managed vessel, M/V Aventurero dos. This cargo was loaded in Thailand and protected by craft paper, plastic and styrofoam. The result was 226 bags very slightly affected by condensation. For us this is really a miracle. We are fully convinced that these materials should be the preferred method of protection for rice cargoes. Provided all crew members take good care of ventilation, condensation damage will no longer occur in this trade.

Joint benefit

Allied Maritime strongly believes that this new practise should be made known for the greater benefit of the shipping community. – After all, the purpose of the steps taken is to protect the trade and owners in general. The lesser the relevant claims, the better renewal rates the P&I clubs can offer, ends Mr. Marinis.

SUCCESSIVE USE OF THESE MATERIALS, AND ESPECIALLY THE STYROFOAM, SHOWS THAT CONDENSATION DAMAGE IS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. THE REASON IS THAT TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCES WITHIN THE HOLDS BECOME MUCH LOWER, AND NO LONGER REACH THE LEVELS SEEN WHEN BAMBOO MATS AND STICKS WERE USED.

Source : Beacon (Skuld Magazine)

No.1 May 2004

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