Tripartite Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Ian Harrison Intercargo Technical Manager
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Introduction Operational and Regulatory Challenges ↔ Design Challenges Examples: Cargo Residues Excessive Loading Rates IMSBC Code
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers MARPOL Annex V (Garbage) and Cargo Residues Definitions Cargo Residue is defined as garbage in guidelines Cargo hold washing water not defined – although interpreted as garbage Requirements Must be discharged when greater than 12 nm from shore Cannot be discharged in a special area Special Areas a Problem Bulk carriers generally not design to handle washing water Adequate port reception facilities for washing water
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers MARPOL Annex V (Garbage) and Cargo Residues Recent special areas Gulfs Area became effective in August 2008 Mediterranean Area became effective May 2009 Reception Facilities in Special Areas (Gulf and Med) PRF must be in place before special area becomes effective MEPC 59 Intercargo and BIMCO paper Circular issued (MEPC.1/Circ. 675) Next steps Continuation of review of Annex V Possible IMSBC Code reference to discharge requirements?
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Design Issues Handling hold washing water Can be problematic –Holding tanks –Pumps – large particles –Cargo properties –Coatings (PSPC?) –Ballast water management systems Hold cleaning systems Possible treatment systems
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Design Issues Images courtesy of EMS Ship Supply
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Design Issues Courtesy of EMS Ship Supply
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Bulk Carrier Loading Rates Terminal requirements Buoyant market → queuing → optimising loading Ponta da Madeira - Brazil – t/hr – Minimum ballast – 14 hr turnaround
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Intercargo Survey Key Findings: 85% of masters indicated that they considered such a rate of loading to be beyond the safe operational limits of their vessel: –Manoeuvrability –Hull structure Two thirds of respondents stated they had concerns with regard to structural stresses if loading at such a rate.
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Validation of Masters Views Manoeuvrability Study – BMT SeaTech –Concurred with Masters opinion ABS study –Confirmed many risks Submission of paper to IMO MSC 84 (MSC 84/INF.8) –Referred to DSC 13 –Considered by Correspondence Group reviewing BLU Code –Reports to DSC 14 next week
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Outcome of Correspondence Group Reports to DSC 14 (DSC 14/7) Proposes an MSC Circular providing guidance: –Time taken for loading –Arrival Condition –Loading sequence –During loading –Consequences of failure to apply BLU Code IACS Recommendation 46
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Design Issues De-ballasting capacity Typically two M 3 /hr pumps ( M 3 /hr total) Should this be increased? Pump size Power requirements Piping systems (water and air) BWM treatment systems
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Information IACS UR S1A Sample sequences often not realistic Information provision should be reviewed
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers IMSBC Code (formally BC Code) Revised and updated Voluntary from Jan 2009 Mandatory from Jan 2011 New Schedules –DRI –Sulphur (formed) DSC 14 (next week) –Coal and ‘hot areas’ –DRI… –Survey and certification
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) What is it? Iron Ore Pellets subjected to a reducing gas in a reactor Oxygen chemically removed Fe content increased from ~65% to ~85% Pellets then formed – cold or hot moulded What are the dangers? Process is reversible – Fe re-oxidises Oxidisation releases energy as heat – possible thermal runaway Hydrogen also liberated
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Picture courtesy of Burgoynes
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Picture courtesy of Burgoynes
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Picture courtesy of Burgoynes
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers IMSBC Code: Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) DRI (A) Briquettes, hot moulded –Monitoring requirements DRI (B) Lumps, pellets, cold-moulded briquettes –Moisture <0.3% –Hold must be inerted –Monitoring requirements DRI (C) By products –Moisture <0.3% –Hold must be inerted –Monitoring requirements
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Picture courtesy of Burgoynes
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Picture courtesy of Burgoynes
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Picture courtesy of Burgoynes
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Picture courtesy of Burgoynes
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Picture courtesy of Burgoynes
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Design Issues DRI an extreme example –Are bulk carrier designed to carry DRI? Do we design bulk carriers around cargoes…? Are we ready for a mandatory IMSBC Code?
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Conclusions Operational and Regulatory Challenges ↔ Design Challenges Design and regulatory (& rule) development needs to consider: Operational environment – loading rates example Cargo properties – DRI example Feedback from designers – MARPOL Annex V example Co-operation of all parties ↓ Ships that are safe and fit for purpose
Design Issues for Bulk Carriers Thank you