Rice Production

Rice is grown all over Vietnam, particularly in the Mekong Delta region. Approximately 3 million tonnes of rice is being exported annually, compared with very little in the past. There are few large plantations and most of the rice is produced by smallholders.

Two to three crops are harvested each year. The first is planted in October/November and is gathered in January/February when the climate is dry and the crop mature. However, rice planted in March is harvested in August/September during the rainy season. The colour of the rice is less white than the first crop and the paddy (ie the complete rice kernel in its shell) may have a moisture content of up to 30%.

After harvesting and threshing the paddy must be dried. Although this is best achieved mechanically with hot air dryers, such equipment is scarce in Vietnam at the present time. Consequently, much of the paddy is left to dry naturally in the sun. This method is less effective in terms of reducing moisture content, which may be as high as 20% on completion.

The paddy is then bagged and dispatched to milling stations, usually by boat. The first milling removes the husks and most of the bran, after which the rice may be specified as "Reasonably Well Milled" (RWM). The precise standard of RWM rice is not defined. Further milling, polishing and cleaning may be carried out to improve the white colour of the final product.

The milling and polishing process also serves to reduce the moisture content of the rice, typically to a level between 15% and 16%. In some cases these figures may be higher if the few plants in operation minimise the milling process in an effort to accommodate the increasing rice supply.

Storage

After milling the rice is bagged and transported by river to centrally located warehouses for storage. In some instances mixing and re-bagging may take place to achieve a particular specification. However, unlike other producing countries where the rice may be stored for many months, the majority of Vietnamese rice is exported almost immediately. The short period spent in storage allows little opportunity for the rice to continue drying naturally.

Rice Standards

 The export of Vietnamese rice is monitored and supervised by organisations such as SGS, Vina Control, or the Food and Commodities Control Center. These agencies act on behalf of shippers to ensure that the specification of rice leaving the country complies with the applicable standard.
The Vietnamese Standard for White Rice specifies rice grades in terms of grain classification, grain composition, degree of milling and other factors. The prescribed moisture content for most grades is 14%, this being the upper limit for the safe storage and carriage of rice.

Moisture Content

In spite of such checks, experience has shown that the true moisture content of Vietnamese rice at the time of loading may exceed the critical figure of 14%, sometimes by a significant amount.

Beyond this level, the risk of the air in the hold becoming saturated by moisture transferred from the rice rises proportionally. The resulting condensation may give rise to conditions favourable for mould growth and the subsequent deterioration of the cargo.

In such instances, a vessel fitted with natural ventilation alone is unlikely to succeed in reducing the moisture content of the air to the point where it ceases to become a threat. Almost all claims to date have occurred aboard such ships, and vessels with mechanically ventilated holds stand a far better chance of a sound outturn.

The likelihood of excessive moisture content is greatest during the rainy season (May to October) when sudden cloudbursts and high relative humidity may affect the rice as it is transported by barge from the warehouse to the vessel.

Independent Surveyors

In view of the potential problems, the appointment of an independent surveying company to monitor the loading is recommended. There are at least two private companies in Ho Chi Minh City providing such a service, and arrangements may be made through the local Club Correspondent.
It is customary for the independent surveying company to allocate a junior surveyor to each of the stevedoring gangs, with a principal surveyor in overall charge.
Attendance by an independent surveying company is regarded as an important loss prevention measure. Therefore in an effort to minimise the possibility of large claims, the Club will bear 50% of the survey costs until the situation improves.

Members should also organise an independent tally for their own account.

Loading

On arrival the Master should ask for a written specification of the rice including moisture content. Permission to start loading should not be granted until these details have been provided. Such information may be used to counter claims for deterioration if the rice is later found to have a moisture content appreciably higher than that originally declared.

The number and location of ventilation channels within the stow should be discussed with the principal surveyor beforehand. If the ship is not fitted with cargo battens, particular care should be exercised to ensure that bags are not loaded in between frame spaces, thereby restricting ventilation.

Similarly, the method and extent of dunnaging should be agreed. Rows of bamboo poles should be laid athwartships on the tank top, not more than 20 centimetres apart. A second layer should be placed on top at right angles to the first before covering the whole area with bamboo matting.

Bamboo poles should also be positioned crosswise against the frames to keep the cargo away from the sides of the ship, interwoven to provide a barrier. Bamboo mats should again be placed against this arrangement and elsewhere. No bags should come into contact with exposed steel.

The top surface of the stow should be covered with thick kraft paper over the entire hold, not just in the hatch square.
Separating layers of bags with plastic sheeting as the stow grows in height is not recommended practice. The sheets may restrict the ability of the rice to "breathe" and act as moisture traps.
During the loading the surveying team will supervise the dunnaging and the building of ventilation channels in the stow. To key the stow together single bags should be placed across the ventilation channel every fifth layer, spaced five to ten bags apart. It should be made clear to the surveying team that they must alert the Duty Officer immediately if the stevedores begin to deviate from the agreed plan.
If it becomes necessary to close the hatch covers due to rain or other reasons, hold ventilation should be started at once to minimise the early onset of condensation. Light plastic sheets may be obtained locally and placed over the stow temporarily as an additional precaution.

Rejection of cargo

Deck officers should be aware that individual bags and, if necessary, entire barges should be rejected if there is tearing or staining, or if the condition of the rice is damp or suspect.
Only sound bags should be loaded as any which are stained or damp may spoil undamaged cargo in the immediate vicinity.

Sampling

In addition to examining the rice as it arrives and monitoring the stowage on board, the independent surveying company should be instructed to take samples from each rice barge throughout the loading. These should be sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine whether the moisture content concurs with the specifications provided. Again, evidence of an excessively high moisture content may prove instrumental in defending claims for moisture damage at a later date.

On some occasions it has been reported that shippers have refused to allow rice samples to be taken. Masters should be instantly suspicious and inform the local Club Correspondent immediately, note protest and make a detailed entry in the logbook.

Other Precautions

Irrespective of the current production difficulties in Vietnam, it should be remembered that rice is sold on the basis of weight. Consequently rice with an excessive moisture content may not concern the sellers unduly, particularly if they feel that they can blame any subsequent deterioration on the ship.

Therefore it is vital that the ship pays close attention to the cargo throughout the voyage and can support all customary routines and safeguards with written evidence. In addition to logbook entries, weather reports, stowage plans and tally sheets, comprehensive ventilation records will always be called for in the event of moisture damage. Good ventilation records will almost certainly strengthen a vessel? case if it can be shown that full and correct control was exercised.

Discharging

For the time being, Members should contact the local Club Correspondent at the port of discharge and arrange for an independent surveying company to monitor the condition of the rice as it is unloaded. The Club will make a 50% contribution towards these costs until further notice. An independent tally should also be organised, again for the account of the Member.

Recommendations

In summary and to minimise the possibility of claims for moisture damage, Members should note the following if planning to load a cargo of Vietnamese rice;

• As far as possible, only mechanically ventilated vessels should be considered for this trade.
• The local Club Correspondent should be contacted prior to arrival and asked to appoint an independent surveying company to monitor the loading and tally the cargo.
• Loading should not commence until the Master has obtained a written specification of the rice including its moisture content.
• A dunnaging plan should be discussed with the independent surveying company prior to cargo operations.
• A stowage plan should also be agreed including the number and position of the ventilation channels.
• The independent surveying company should be instructed to take representative samples of the rice throughout the loading for laboratory analysis.
• Parcels and/or individual bags of rice arriving by barge should be rejected if found to be torn, stained, damp or in otherwise suspect condition.
• Bags of rice damaged while being loaded should also be rejected. Only sound cargo should be accepted for shipment.
• The use of cargo handling hooks by stevedores should be forbidden.
• Only one cargo sling should be attached per lift.
• If it is necessary to close any hatches (eg rain, idle time), hold ventilation should be started immediately.
• At the discharge port the local Club Correspondent should be asked to appoint an independent surveying company to monitor the condition of the cargo. An independent tally should also be arranged.
• All customary routines regarding the handling, stowage and ventilation of rice should be observed and recorded.

Source : West of England - Loss prevention bulletin 1/1998/99

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