CARGO CARE
Inspection and Preparation of
Holds
Reasons for Hold Inspection
Cargo Hold must be inspected by the Cargo
Officer (Chief Officer) before commencing loading
operation:
To ensure that the hold is suitable for the next
cargo
To eliminate the possibility of cargo damage
due to contamination, ensure that all fittings
are in good order (Bilge, Ventilation, Lighting,
Fire and Hatch covers)
Items to be inspected
1. General cleanliness (No Rust or 12. Hatch cover, check for water tightness
loose rust). (any damaged rubber must be
2. Spar ceiling changed) (grease all moving parts
3. Tween Deck draining holes including wheels, hinges and cleats)
4. Bilge system (Bilge well, strum box 13. Fixed hold ladders (Repair as
& non-return valve) necessary or place temporary ladders).
5. Sounding Pipes (Bilge & Double 14. Hold manholes on the weather deck.
Bottom Tanks)
6. Air Vent. Pipes
7. Electric cables, Lighting and
connections.
8. General condition of side shell,
bulkheads, frames and beams
9. Double Bottom Tanks manholes
10. Ventilation ducts
11. Fire detection and fixed fire
extinguishing systems
Importance of cleaning holds before loading
When cargo holds are presented for loading
cargoes in bulk and they are not sufficiently clean
for the intended cargo, delays, off-hire and charter
party disputes can arise. Insufficient cleaning can
also cause cargo contamination and infestation,
leading to cargo damage claims from cargo
receivers.
Cleaning Holds Procedures
1. When discharging is finished, Collect and stack all serviceable
dunnage.
Unsuitable dunnage
must be sent up on
deck to be disposed
of.
2. The hold is then
thoroughly swept
down and all rubbish
is sent up on deck.
3. The Bilge covers are lifted and the bilges thoroughly cleaned out.
If necessary, the bilges may be cement or lime washed or coated with
bitumastic; this tends to prevent corrosion and also disinfects them.
4. Before the Bilge covers are replaced, bilge suction must be tested.
Cleaning Holds Procedures
To clean a hold from which a coal cargo (Or any dusty bulk cargo) has just been
discharged it is necessary first to sweep it down and then to wash it down with a
hose. The bilge suctions and/or rose boxes must be attended to so that the water
can be pumped away.
Reason for using Dunnage
Protection against sweat and condensation water
Protection against moisture and liquids
Protection against soiling and contamination
Protection against mechanical damage
Types of Dunnage
Dunnage may include plastic films, jute coverings,
tarpaulins, wood (wooden dunnage), rice matting,
nonwovens, liner bags or also inlets etc.
Depending on the use to which it is put, dunnage
may be divided into floor, lateral, interlayer and
top dunnage.
Dunnaging Techniques
Dunnaging Techniques
Spar Ceiling
Cargo battens or "spar ceiling", as
they are often called, comprises
portable wooden battens fitted to
the inner edges of the frames and
so form a sheathing to the ship's
side. "Spar ceiling" is made up of
boards and arranged either
horizontally, or vertically between
frames. The purpose of this wooden
sheathing is to prevent packages of
cargo from damage by moisture
which may collect on the side of the
ship
Bilges
Condition of Hold Bilges, clean and dry
Bilges
Bilge cover cleaned to prevent blockage of small debris
The Ballast System
The ballast system is arranged to ensure that water can
be drawn from any tank or the sea and discharged to
any other tank or the sea as required to trim the vessel.
Combined or separate mains for suction and discharge
may be provided. Where a tank or cargo space can
be used for ballast or dry cargo then either a ballast
or bilge connection will be required. The system must
therefore be arranged so that only the appropriate
pipeline is in service; the other must be securely
blanked or closed off.
Methods to Deodorize Cargo Holds
1. Lime Washing
2. Chemical Washing with Muriatic /Hydrochloric Acid
3. Aquatuff High Foam – Heavy Alkaline Cleaner
Thank you!
