The IMO circular CCC.1/Circ.2 on Carriage of Bauxite that may Liquefy was issued on 20 Oct 2015.
This urges ship Masters not to accept bauxite for carriage unless:
• the moisture limit for the cargo to be loaded is certified as less than the indicative moisture limit of 10% and the particle size distribution is as detailed in the individual schedule for bauxite in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (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 Master is presented with an assessment that the cargo does not present Group A properties.
This advice follows findings from the Bulk Jupiter accident investigation, which have triggered the re-assessment of the cargo. The conclusions of this re-assessment will be included in future amendments to the IMSBC Code. Currently, bauxite is assessed as a Group C cargo (cargoes not liable to liquefaction) under the Code.
