Page 9 - INTERCARGO - Bulk Carrier Casualty Report 2023

They led to the loss of 70 seafarers’ lives (63.7% of the overall total) and account-
ed for 19.2% of all the vessel casualties over this time period.

Liquefaction can occur either slowly over time or instantaneously and without
warning. When cargo properties do not align with the shipper’s documentation
provided to the vessel, the risk of cargo failure can greatly increase.

Amendments 06-21 of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC)
Code were developed in order to provide more accurate cargo information and
will come into force on December 1, 2023.

The amendments include the term ‘dynamic separation’ in addition to liquefac-
tion. This is expected to safeguard against moisture related cargo failure mecha-
nisms, which can cause cargo and ultimately vessel instability.

Group A cargoes, described under the amended IMSBC Code, can be hazardous
due to excessive moisture. This may result in liquefaction or dynamic separation,
if the moisture content is in excess of their transportable moisture limit (TML).

Grounding

Grounding was the most common reported cause of ship losses between 2013
and 2022, accounting for 12 bulk carriers lost (46.2%).

Reports, where available, indicate that there were various causes for these casu-
alties.

Other incidents include complications with onboard machinery and equipment as
possible causes.

An investigation into the grounding of John 1 off Newfoundland in 2014, found that
a severe leak in the vessel was caused by a failure of the lower sea chest suction
valve resulting in engine room flooding.

The Rio Gold incident in 2013 showed that a decision to stop en route in order to
allow engineers to repair suspected main engine problems may have triggered the
sequence of actions leading to its grounding.

The industry awaits the investigation of the loss of the Xing Shun No. 1 which sank
in rough seas off Taiwan in 2022 as a result of losing power.

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