Coal Cargoes carriage at sea, flammability hazards and preventive measures

The carriage at sea of coal of all types can produce potential flammability hazards.
All grades of coal emit methane, which is odorless, lighter than air, and has a
flammability range of approximately 5% to 16% by volume. It can be detected
with an explosimeter.

Particular attention must be paid to providing effective surface ventilation to

circumvent the buildup of methane gas, especially during times of following wind
and in the period immediately subsequent to an enforced shut-down of surface
ventilation due to adverse weather.

Some types of coal are susceptible to spontaneous combustion, where the

presence of oxygen assists the temperature of the coal to rise to a point at which
self-ignition occurs. These coals are referred to in the IMSBC Code as “Self-heating
Coals” and the mandatory recommendations of the code are to be followed.

The following precautions must be observed when carrying any coal cargo:
1. Cargo temperatures in any hold containing coal are to be monitored and
recorded . Temperature readings should be taken during loading and
throughout the voyage on a daily basis. A sustained increase in cargo
temperature or any cargo temperature exceeding 40 Deg C is to be
reported to the management ashore.

2. Where coal is stowed in holds adjacent to bunker tanks, this must be in

accordance with the requirements of the IMSBC Code. Coal should not be
stowed adjacent to hot areas.

3. Hold atmospheres must be tested for methane, carbon monoxide and

oxygen immediately upon completion of loading, recording the results and
the time they were obtained. Repetitive tests must be carried out daily on
 the voyage. Gas monitoring should be done through proper fittings in the
holds as described in the IMSBC Code, not through open accesses or covers.

4. If, for any reason, such as bad weather, daily measurements could not take
place, an appropriate entry should be made in the Deck Log Book.

5. Equipment to measure methane, oxygen and carbon monoxide in the cargo

holds must be in good working order and calibrated before use.

6. Any recordings of methane content in excess of 10% of the lower explosive

limit (LEL) are to be reported immediately to the Company.

7. Surface ventilation is to be effected at all times when carrying coal, weather

permitting, unless stated otherwise in the IMSBC Code or where heating is
detected. When the shipper advises that the cargo is likely to self-heat or
analysis of the atmosphere in the cargo space indicates an increase of
carbon monoxide concentrations, additional precautions are required by
the IMSBC Code, which should be followed. IN cases of likely self-heating
the management office must be contacted for guidance.

8. The status of hold ventilation (“O” Open or “C” Closed) should be recorded.
Entries are to be made in the Deck Log Book when any change in surface
ventilation procedures is effected and the reasons for such changes.

9. Strict attention must be paid to ensuring that methane build-up does not
take place during period of following wind, when surface ventilation may
prove ineffectual. If methane emission has been detected, the monitoring
frequency is to be increased during such periods. Under no circumstances is
ventilation to be attempted within the bulk of the cargo.
10.Particular care is to be exercised in respect of any work being conducted on
deck when methane concentrations have been detected in any hold.
Following periods of enforced suspension of surface ventilation due to
adverse weather, no work whatsoever is to take place adjacent to hatches
save that strictly necessary to reopen the vents until the methane
concentrations in all holds has been established and, where necessary,
reduced below 10% of the lower explosive limit.

11.PH Value of any liquid in the bilges should be recorded when applicable.
Equipment to measure pH value of cargo space bilge samples should be
onboard prior to loading.

12.No sources of ignition must be present outside the accommodation when

coal is being carried or handled.

13.Smoking Regulations are to be complied with, and the use of naked lights
are forbidden forward of the accommodation.

14.All electrical cables and components in cargo spaces and adjacent enclosed
spaces are to be free from defects. Such cables and components are to be
safe for use in an explosive atmosphere or positively isolated.

15.Care must be taken to see that methane is not allowed to enter

accommodation or store spaces.
Precautions for Carriage of Coal

General precautions for the carriage of coal include:

1. The Master should be informed about the cargo in the `Cargo Information
Form' (i.e. Shipper's Declaration/Cargo Information) and the material safety
data sheet (MSDS) prior to loading.

2. The precautions that need to be taken depend upon the information

provided, eg if the cargo is liable to emit methane, then the Master should
refer to the IMDG Code to obtain the loading, stowage and carriage
information.

3. It is, therefore, imperative that the cargo information be supplied to the

Master prior to commencing loading, or they may not allow the operation.

4. Before loading cargo:

o Bilge wells should be cleaned, residual cargoes removed, suction
tested and covered with taped down double wrapped burlap.
o Hatch top wheels and associated equipment should be greased to
ensure that no sparks are caused during opening and closing.
o Electrical cables, cargo hold lights and any other electrical
instruments within cargo holds should be checked for insulation
damage to ensure that they are safe for use in an atmosphere
containing explosive gases. On bulk carriers, as no lighting is needed,
the fuses should be pulled to isolate electricity.
o Ships that carry coal are required to carry instruments to measure:
a) Methane, oxygen and carbon monoxide levels in cargo holds
b) cargo hold temperature (between 0-100°C)
c) the pH of bilge water.
 The installation of these instruments or the taking of measurements,
should be possible without entering the cargo space. Arrangements
should also be made to calibrate and test the instruments.

5. Extra monitoring should be implemented when coal is loaded in holds

adjacent to hot areas, such as heated fuel DB tanks and engine room
bulkheads.

6. The ideal place to monitor the temperature of the load is the centre of the
stow. If the temperature is measured from the side, top or corners of the
hold it must be remembered that the temperature at the centre of the
cargo will be several degrees higher.

7. A no smoking policy should be fully implemented on the ship and hot work
should not be allowed, particularly in the vicinity of cargo compartments.

8. Except where the shipper provides specific instructions to ventilate the

cargo, compartments containing coal should only be ventilated for the first
24 hours after departure from the loading port. There should be regular
monitoring of atmosphere to check the concentration of pH of bilge water.
Ventilation should only be continued if the amount of methane rises above
the acceptable level. Coal should also be ventilated prior to discharge
owing to the danger of the build-up of gases that could be ignited by a
spark from the opening of the hatches.

9. The gases may escape the cargo compartment to adjacent stores, mast
houses, etc. These spaces should also be monitored on a regular basis.
 10.A higher pH value reading indicates the likelihood of increased corrosion. In
such cases the bilges should be kept dry by pumping out any accumulated
water. However, records should be kept in the deck logbook for the
quantity of bilge water discharged to justify any claims of cargo shortage.

11.If any suspected problem is observed during the passage the shipper should
be contacted, not only to update their information but also to seek any
clarification.

Special Precautions for Coals Emitting Methane

If the shipper has declared that the cargo is liable to emit methane or the
methane concentration in the cargo compartment is above 20% of the Lower
Explosive Limit (LEL), the following additional precautions should be taken:
 Surface ventilation should be maintained
 hatch covers should not be opened until the accumulated gases have been
removed. Hatch covers should then be opened carefully ensuring no sparks
are initiated
 all enclosed spaces such as store rooms, tunnels and passageways, etc,
should be thoroughly monitored for methane
 enclosed hatch covers should be ventilated.

Special Precautions for Self-Heating Coals

If the shipper has declared that the cargo is liable to self-heat, then the following
additional precautions should be taken:
  If required, the Master should seek additional guidance from the shipper on
the adequacy of the existing precautions
 if analysis of the atmosphere of the cargo compartment indicates an
increased carbon monoxide concentration, then

i) the hatch covers should be closed after loading and additional seals applied

ii) surface ventilation should be kept to minimum

iii) carbon monoxide concentration should be regularly measured and recorded

iv) if the hold temperature exceeds 55°C or the carbon monoxide concentration
rises steadily, expert advice should be sought.