Please be advised that the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) of Goa, India issued a circular of Loading of Iron Ore Cargo in Goa Region dated 25 Nov 2010. The circular states that, “it has been decided to discontinue the practice of submitting hatch-wise date to the Mercantile Marine Department in view of the dry spell”, however, “all concerned are advised to follow the guidelines and instructions of Ministry of Shipping and the Directorate General of Shipping to ensure that safety of vessels loading iron ore cargo in the Goa Region continues to be carried out in a safe manner”.
We have been contacted by many ship-owners for whether preloading survey of P&I surveyor is still required after the above circular took effect. We consulted all International Group of P&I Clubs (Group) and would like to summarize the opinions of clubs as following for your information.
Most clubs of the Group hold that P&I precautionary surveys for iron ore cargo in this region should be continuously required, since
1. Although MMD of Goa has done away with the practice of seeking the moisture certificate due to the cessation of the South west monsoon, the Original Merchant Shipping Notice that was issued by the Ministry of Shipping however continues to be in force, and as such Owners are required to continue to appoint surveyors through their P & I Club to draw samples from shipper’s stockpiles for determining TML, FMP and Moisture percent in the samples as also to monitor moisture on a continuous basis during loading.
2. It is a requirement under the BC and the IMSBC codes that reliable and accurate samples are drawn prior to shipment and tested at a credible laboratory to ensure the cargo is safe for shipment, and the latter of which is mandatory under the SOLAS regime. Therefore these matters need to be carefully attended to irrespective of any local laws and requirements.
Therefore, please ensure to notify owner’s P&I club soonest for arranging precautionary surveys when the vessel is going to load ore cargo in this region. Please feel free to contact us if you need any further information.
