NorthStandard has become aware of issues being experienced with the loading of Iron Ore Fines cargo out of Porto Sudeste, Itaguai in Brazil.What are the issues?The Iron Ore Fines cargo exported from this port exhibits characteristics that make it prone to dynamic separation leading to a loss of vessel stability, which emphasises the importance of proper testing and the careful control of moisture content. The material contains a fines/clay fraction that slows drainage and therefore retains moisture. However, this may not be completely apparent during a visual inspection or when carrying out can testing.Whilst there are no apparent issues with the testing methods employed by the shipper to determine the transportable moisture limit (TML) of the cargo, there have been issues with the material’s moisture content when presented for shipment.In the individual batches of the cargo presented for loading, the particle size distribution and moisture content range is highly variable. However, the shipper’s apparent strategy is to load individual batches each with significant tonnage exhibiting a moisture content significantly in excess of the TML, whilst focusing only on the weighted average moisture content of the hold overall or the consignment as a whole, without any consideration or evaluation of the actual safety risks such an approach obviously presents.We are not aware of any proactive and effective pre-shipment actions being undertaken to address this risk, such as shore based blending operation. Simply loading material with a lower moisture content on top of material with a moisture content in excess of its TML neither constitutes ‘blending’ nor will it positively impact the behaviour of the cargo previously loaded. In fact placing material with a moisture content in excess of its TML in the base of a hold and loading material on top is likely to result in an increase in both the saturation and pore water pressure of the material at the base of the stow which increases the risk of dynamic separationWith an apparent lack of control over the as-loaded moisture content, the approach currently adopted at this port is considered high risk with a cargo of this nature and does not comply with the mandatory provisions of Section 4 of the IMSBC Code.What should members do?Members asked to proceed to load this cargo at this port should:Contact their usual contact at NorthStandard.Consider appointing a local surveyor.Seek the opinion of a geotechnical expert.As well as the shipper’s declaration, members should request the particle size distribution, TML (including supporting data generated by the test) and moisture content range for all portions of the consignment presented for loading, not single or weighted average results.Any batches presented for shipment that have a moisture content above TML should be rejected.Perform regular can tests to monitor for high-risk cargo.Look for obvious signs of excess moisture / free water in the stockpile and in the cargo hold. At this time, the facility appears to have limited means with which to discharge a cargo, and there is no evidence that the competent authority or competent authorities have approved by exemption (IMSBC Code Section 1.5) this approach to loading operations.With thanks to Roxburgh for their assistance with this matter.Further readingBulk Cargo Liquefaction and Dynamic Separation | NorthStandard | Marine InsuranceWhat a Can Test Can Do | NorthStandard | Marine Insurance