Carefully to Carry
Calcium hypochlorite “The carrier shall
properly and care-
fully load, handle,
stow, carry, keep,
The need to take the appropriate precautions in the stowage of this material care for and dis-
still remains (see the UK Club’s Loss Prevention Bulletin 116-11/99). Such charge the goods
matters were discussed in February 2000 at the International Maritime carried.”
Organization’s 5th session of the Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid
Hague Rules,
Cargoes and Containers (DSC5) and some changes to the existing IMDG Articles iii, Rule 2
Code were drafted. These changes have been confirmed by the Maritime
Safety Committee (MSC 72) in May 2000. The anhydrous (UN1748)
hydrated (UN2880) and bleaching powder (UN2208) forms of the material
are to be stowed on deck only (Category ‘D’). It should be stowed out of
direct sunlight. Bulk packages are not allowed nor is transportation in bags.
Packing the materials in drums will ensure the possibility of air flow through a Carefully to Carry
stow of such receptacles when they are stuffed into a freight container. This Advisory Committee
is important as air flow will assist in the dissipation of heat generated by these This report was produced by the Care-
reactive materials. fully to Carry Committee – the UK P&I
Club’s advisory committee on cargo
The International Group of P&I Clubs (IG P&IC) submission to the IMO matters. The aim of the Carefully to
recommended changes to rules on package sizes. A maximum package size Carry Committee is to reduce claims
through contemporaneous advice to
of 45kg net is still being recommended by this Group, although the IMO failed
the Club’s Members through the most
to recognise the need for the use of small packages. Also some delegates at efficient means available.
the DSC5 meeting argued against the need to stow these cargoes ‘clear of
living quarters’. The IG P&IC continues to recommend that stowage should be The committee was established in
‘clear of living quarters’ because when this chemical decomposes it gives off 1961 and has produced many articles
the highly toxic gas chlorine. on cargoes that cause claims and
other cargo related issues such as
hold washing, cargo securing, and
The reasons for the IG P&IC recommendations are based on a better under- ventilation.
standing of the properties of the hydrated form of the material UN2880 than
had been available when, in the late 1970s, the IMDG Code entry for this The quality of advice given has
material was discussed. Research carried out in Australia has highlighted the established Carefully to Carry as a key
need to be more aware of the sensitivity of these materials to heat spontaneous source of guidance for shipowners
and ships’ officers. In addition, the
decomposition, which leads to explosion and fire and which could occur at
articles have frequently been the
temperatures in the low 30oC for freight containers stuffed with large drums source of expertise in negotiations
(about 200kg) of UN2880. Such temperatures are encountered in the holds over the settlement of claims and have
of container vessels where there are heated fuel oil tanks. Thus the materials also been relied on in court hearings.
should not be stowed where the critical ambient temperature of the materials
can be attained. If there is a risk with on deck stowage that the freight containers In 2002 all articles were revised and
published in book form as well as on
could be subjected to long periods of direct sunlight, steps should be taken to
disk. All articles are also available to
restow these freight containers. If this is not possible the freight containers Members on the Club website. Visit
should be covered with tarpaulins to provide shade. the Carefully to Carry section in the
Loss Prevention area of the Club
The ocean transportation history of calcium hypochlorite suggests that all forms website www.ukpandi.com for more
pose special challenges concerning safe carriage. The safety issues are complex information, or contact the Loss
and are aggravated by a high degree of product variability. Prevention Department.
The 2000 amendment to the IMDG Code (Amendment Some synonyms for calcium hypoclorite
30), effective from 1 January 2001, states the following
for calcium hypochlorite, UN Nos: 1748, 2208 and 2880: B-K POWDER
BLEACHING POWDER
“ Stowage and Segregation Category D. BLEACHING POWDER, containing 39% or less chlorine
Cargo transport units should be shaded from direct sunlight CALCIUM CHLOROHYDROCHLORITE
and stowed away from sources of heat. Packages in cargo CALCIUM HYPOCHLORIDE
transport units should be stowed so as to allow for adequate CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE
air circulation throughout the cargo. 'Separated from' CALCIUM OXYCHLORIDE
powdered metals and their compounds, ammonium CAPORIT
compounds, cyanides, hydrogen peroxides and liquid CCH
organic substances.” CHLORIDE of LIME
CHLORINATED LIME
Should the new requirements fail to address the issues of HTH
package size and stowage away from accommodation, HY-CHLOR
the IG P&IC plans to reaffirm its existing guidance to ship- HYPOCHLOROUS ACID, CALCIUM SALT
owners. This draws attention to the association between LIME CHLORIDE
fire risk and package size and the importance of stowage
away from accommodation. Some calcium hypochlorite is being shipped out of China
declared as:
PRECHLOROISOCYANORIC ACID (UN 2465), and
SODIUM DI-ISOCYANORATE (UN 2466)
It may also be shipped as water purification tablets and
swimming pool cleanser
For further information please contact: Loss Prevention Department, Thomas Miller P&I Ltd
Tel: +44 20 7204 2307. Fax +44 20 7283 6517. Email: [email protected]
