Braemar Seascope

Flow-state in solid bulk cargo & TML

The ship’s perspective

Richard Williams

27TH November 2013

Braemar Seascope

Braemar Shipping Services Plc

Shipbroking Dry Cargo Tankers / LNG / FSPO Containers Sale and Purchase New Building Demolition Research

Technical Port construction Naval Architecture Vessel & condition surveys Ship construction supervision

Environmental Pollution control Incident response

Logistics Port Agency Customs clearance Containers

Braemar Seascope

The Cargo shift Problem – and the Outcome

Braemar Seascope

Flow-State – The Ship’s Perspective

• Evolution of the issue and the regulatory response

• Identifying real world process

• Reviewing recent developments, future possibilities

Braemar Seascope

Global Regulation

IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and

security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.

Braemar Seascope

The Ship’s viewpoint

• The load-port : “… there’s no problem Captain, we’ve never had a problem with this cargo...!”

• The discharge -port : “… why did you bring that stuff here?”

“…In the resulting viscous fluid state cargo may flow to one side of the ship with a roll one way but not completely return with a roll the other way. Thus the ship may progressively reach a dangerous angle of list and capsize.”

Braemar Seascope

Shipboard inputs - liquefaction

•Global ship motions •Structural response – slamming/whipping •Engine/propeller induced vibration •Effect of ship size •Importance of length of time/voyage

Braemar Seascope

Evolution – Practice & Regulation

Iron Ore – can it liquefy? Does it?

BC Code 1979 – IRON ORE entry

• The code is more what you call "guidelines" than actual rules.1

1Captain Barbarossa “Pirates of the Caribbean”

Braemar Seascope

Real-World experience

Braemar Seascope

Viscous fluid state

Braemar Seascope

Splashing under hatchlids

Braemar Seascope

Wet fines compacted

Braemar Seascope

Free water (slurry) with intact cargo

Braemar Seascope

Wet base partial collapse

Wording in an actual submission for a new cargo to IMO: • “The appearance of the surface of this cargo shall be checked regularly

during voyage. • “If free water above the cargo or fluid state of the cargo is observed

during voyage, the master shall take appropriate actions to prevent cargo shifting and potential capsize of the ship,

• “and give consideration to seeking emergency entry into a place of

refuge.

Braemar Seascope

Control system boundaries = Zone of Increased Risk

• Shipping operates in International “Law” domain

• Minerals production operates in Local Law domain

• Ships at a loading terminal sit in between

Increased Risk zone

Overlaps or gaps in practices/ risk-controls

Regulatory jurisdictions interact/misalign

Maritime Practice .... Minerals Production ?

Braemar Seascope

The problem Producers’ viewpoint

• Low confidence in pre-existing test methods for TML

• Historically developed for mineral concentrates

• Not directly applicable to iron ore

• Duration of codified tests > online sampling, testing

• Risk of cargo loaded > allowable moisture

• Problem exists now for ‘wet ore’ producers

• Problem extends as mines develop toward wetter ores

Braemar Seascope

Recent & Current progress IMO Sub-committee Sept 2013

IMO Sub-Committee for Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers eighteenth session (DSC 18)

Met at the IMO headquarters in London 16th -20th September 2013

• Reviewed results from Technical Working Group

• TWG comprised of representatives from BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Vale

• Australian & Brazilian Competent Authorities involved

• Research verified by independent review.

Braemar Seascope

Technical Working Group process

Marine Study involved real-ships real cargoes

• Vessel motions & forces

• Vessel stability

• Cargo observations

Test method study

• Adjusted method adapted from existing PFT

Braemar Seascope

Technical Working Group Marine study – recorded vessel motion routes

Braemar Seascope

Ocean route exposure Brazil comparison Australia – N Asia

Braemar Seascope

Technical Working Group Marine study – Typical cargo hold

Braemar Seascope

Technical Working Group Marine study - Laser scan of cargo end voyage

Braemar Seascope

Technical Working Group Marine study – stow profile before & after

Braemar Seascope

Technical Working Group “Marine study” conclusions *IRON ORE FINES

• Vessel motions & forces – Ship size is a factor (surprise!!)

– Measured accelerations are less than predicted

• Vessel stability – Capesize vessel stability not compromised <50% cargo shift

– Smaller vessels have less tolerance to cargo shift

• Cargo observations – Laser scans reveal less movement than expected

– Wet Brazilian ores drainage manageable by bilge pumping

– Australian ores no free water experienced

* These outcomes should not be applied to other cargo types

Braemar Seascope

Technical Working Group “Test method” conclusions

• The existing tests do not take into account key material properties

• a new test procedure "modified Proctor/Fagerberg test (PFT) procedure" better serves for iron ore fines

• “Recalibrated” PFT better suits IOF properties (PFT”D” test)

• TML for IOF is best determined by using the PFT D method

• …and the moisture corresponding to the point where the compaction curve intersects the 80% saturation line.

Braemar Seascope

Technical Working Group New IMSBC Code schedules

• The pre-existing IMSBC Code includes no “FINES’ schedule

• A new IRON ORE FINES schedule is accepted for inclusion

• Group A – subject to liquefaction applies

• Testing for TML and actual moisture apply

• A set of criteria distinguishing from lump ore Iron Ore Fines is iron ore containing both:

– 10 per cent or more of fine particles less than 1mm, and

– 50 per cent or more of particles less than 10mm.

• Additional criteria excluding fines > 35% goethite

Braemar Seascope

IMO DSC18 Sept 2013 - outcomes

• Modified test method

• New IMSBC Code schedule IRON ORE FINES

• Clarified criteria differentiating FINES / LUMP

• New IMSBC Code schedule IRON ORE (for lump)

• Qualification according to Goethite content

• Cargo trimming requirements

Braemar Seascope

IMO – other incoming changes

• Procedures for Sampling, Testing, Moisture management

• Procedures subject to approvals, checks and audit (AMSA)

• Access to stockpiles for ship’s representative check sampling

Braemar Seascope

Looking Ahead

• Delayed / staged in-force dates

• In Australia, consider in-force now

• Period of uncertainty during interim period

Braemar Seascope

Smooth Sailing – Safe Arrivals Thank you