Liquefaction of Bauxite Cargoes *Update*

Malaysia: Bauxite Mining Operations Halted for 3 Months – Tuesday 16 February 2016

From mid-January 2016 the Malaysian authorities have imposed a ban on the mining of Bauxite.  The ban will remain in place for a period of 3 months due to environmental concerns.

It is also reported that the authorities in Malaysia have decided to put into place a permit system and environmental protection regulations that, unless fully complied with, may prevent mining companies from operating.

Work is ongoing by the Malaysian authorities via the IMO and with assistance of IG and Intercargo to develop a system for safe shipment of bauxite.

Monday 21 September 2015 

The IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Containers and Cargoes (CCC) has issued a circular warning not to accept bauxite for carriage unless:    

• the moisture limit for the specific cargo is certified as less than the indicative moisture limit of 10% and the particle size distribution as is detailed in the individual schedule for bauxite in the IMSBC Code; or
• the cargo is declared as Group A (cargoes that may liquefy) and the shipper declares the transportable moisture limit (TML) and moisture content; or
• the cargo has been assessed as not presenting Group A properties.

A copy of the circular can be read here.

Monday 5 January 2015

Members may be aware of press reports concerning the loss of the vessel ‘Bulk Jupiter’ which was carrying a cargo of Bauxite loaded at Kuantan in Malaysia. Although the cause of the incident has not yet been positively identified the circumstances of the loss appear to be similar to other losses associated with the liquefaction of bulk cargo.

Further information will be made available to Members once available.

Members are referred to the industry news item below in respect of Bauxite.

Any Members with vessels fixed to call at Kuantan to load Bauxite should contact the Club for assistance.

Thursday 10 January 2013

Members are advised that there have been a number of instances of bauxite cargoes liquefying recently. Typically these cargoes have contained a large proportion very fine material.

Whilst Bauxite is listed in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC) as a group C cargo, not known to liquefy or possess a chemical hazard, this categorisation only applies to cargoes that fall within the specific description included in the Code.

Therefore the cargo must have a moisture content between 0% and 10% and consist of 70%-90% lumps with a size between 2.5mm and 500mm and 10%-30% powder to be classed as group C.

Where any of the properties listed in Appendix 1 of the Code for this cargo are not met, such as excessive moisture content due to heavy rainfall, then the requirements of section 1.3 of the IMSBC Code for cargoes not listed in this Code should be followed.

Members engaged to carry bauxite cargoes should be aware that cargoes that lie outside the IMSBC Code description may have the potential to liquefy.

Should Members have any concerns over the carriage of this cargo, then please contact the Club for further assistance.