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6 CARGO CARGO 7

Carriage of nickel
materials with particle sizes up to 1mm, but “may be and frequently utilize a free standing table on various Advice to shipowners
applicable to materials with a maximum grain size surfaces. Figure 1 shows the FMP determination at a In all recent instances that we are aware of,
up to 7mm”. The BC Code also warns that the Philippine mine for a limonite ore when the table was shippers of nickel ore have issued certificates
method may “not give satisfactory results for some (a) loosely fixed to a wooden desk, and (b) when based on sampling and testing carried out by the
materials with high clay content”. Lateritic nickel securely fixed to a concrete plinth.

ore from Indonesia


respective mine’s in-house laboratory.
ore is inhomogeneous, comprising a mixture of fine A much smaller deformation was obtained with the Regrettably, extensive audits of the sampling and
and larger particles (> 7mm), and has a high clay flow table mounted on a flimsy wooden desk, due to testing methods used by these mines have in
content. This does not preclude the application of dissipation of energy into the structure of the every instance so far revealed serious
the method to nickel ore, but it does mean that great deficiencies, which have rendered the values

and the Philippines


support, compared to the deformation observed
care is required in performing the test. with a similar sample when the flow table was certified by shippers effectively meaningless.
The FTT method involves preparing a sample on a securely fixed to a rigid platform. This would result This presents shipowners with a serious dilemma.
Appearance of moisture on surface of nickel ore flow table in the form of a truncated cone. The flow in a higher FMP being declared for an incorrectly They are faced with a choice of either accepting the
following a can test table top is then raised and allowed to fall sharply fixed table. values certified by shippers at face value, despite the
through a defined vertical distance. This simple high probability of these certificates being flawed,
Liquefaction of mineral cargoes, particularly There are problems with both the determination of sampled in accordance with the requirements of the Effect of tamping pressure
procedure is repeated up to 50 times and the or of becoming actively involved in an (inevitably
nickel ore, have been widely publicised recently. TML (which for nickel ore needs to be determined by BC Code. This details the frequency and extent of Before the FMP of nickel ore can be determined it
behaviour of the sample cone observed to see acrimonious and time-consuming) investigation of
The Association published an article by Brookes a competent laboratory separately for every single sampling for a given stockpile size, and states that needs to be prepared in the form of a truncated
if “plastic deformation” has occurred. The the safety of the cargo being offered for shipment.
Bell in Signals 65 (October 2006) that Members cargo) and moisture content (which must be of the sampling should be conducted no more than one sample. The sample mould is filled in three distinct
construction of the flow table and the test
are advised to refer to. cargo offered for shipment), which the BC Code week prior to shipment if the ore is stored uncovered phases, each layer being compacted by a defined Shipowners should be aware that in recent cases in
methodology is described in great detail in the BC
The Association is very grateful to Ken Grant of requires shippers to provide prior to commencement - as most nickel laterite stockpiles are. number of actions with a tamper. This is to simulate the Philippines, we have come across certificates
Code. However, it is the experience of the authors
Minton, Treharne & Davies (MTD) and Nicholas of loading. the packing of the material in the cargo hold. The similar to those encountered during our first
Moisture content determination that neither the set-up or test method described is
tamping pressure used is calculated from the bulk involvements with nickel laterite ores being shipped
Crouch and Martin Jonas of Brookes Bell for Sampling of nickel ore The inhomogeneity of lateritic nickel ore means that being adhered to by the nickel ore mines, with the
providing this article, which describes in more density of the cargo (at loaded moisture content) from Indonesia. These certificates state simply that
Various problems arise with sampling for moisture the proportion of the fine clay-like and larger stone- potential for inaccurate FMP and TML information
detail the problems associated with liquefaction and maximum depth of the cargo in the hold. In the the material has been tested in accordance with
content and FMP testing – both of which are like fractions in different samples can vary being declared to the vessel. Some preliminary
of nickel ore, and the difficulty in determining its case of nickel ore such tamping pressures can be the BC Code flow table test method and found to
required to enable a reliable TML to be determined. significantly. As the clay material typically has experiments carried out by MTD (Singapore) on
moisture content and flow moisture point, and difficult to apply, and as a consequence, the mines pass. No figures for the FMP and TML are stated
Some problems stem from the actual manner in higher moisture content (30 – 50%) compared to limonite ore, and information gathered by both MTD
hence whether it is safe to carry. apply incorrect technique and reduced tamping although average moisture content, which is
which the stockpiles are physically sampled. In a the larger stony fraction (about 20%), the actual and Brookes Bell on site, support these concerns.
pressure. In effect, the sample is simply spread valueless without a TML, is provided. Needless to
Background recent case, it was found that the mine did not moisture content determined will be an average. As Before we can address these issues, we first need to
around to fill the mould, rather than compacted. say, it is not possible to assess the safety and
Nickel laterite is an inhomogeneous low-grade ore routinely sample the stockpiles prior to shipment, a consequence, the actual moisture content of the discuss another area of debate, the identification of
Figure 2 shows the significance of this failure, where suitability for carriage of a material based on such
consisting of very fine clay-like particles and larger but rather sampling was conducted during the clay-like fraction, which is the one prone to plastic deformation.
cone expansion on the flow table is plotted against an incomplete declaration.
rock-like particles. There are two different types, course of loading. As this was too late to comply liquefaction, will typically be higher than the
Identification of a flow state tamping pressure for a limonite sample in the MTD Expert attendance on site is required to carry out
limonite and saprolite, which differ in their with the requirements of the BC Code, their practice declared value.
The BC Code does not provide any definite criteria Laboratory. the type of in-depth audit of the sampling
chemistry and their physical appearance, but was to present the master with information relating Preparation of samples for moisture content and for identifying a flow state (Appendix 2, Section
The sample contained 35% moisture. Using the and certification procedures necessary to
present similar problems in bulk shipping due to the cargo loaded onto a previous unrelated vessel. FMP determination can be a lengthy process 1.1.4.2.3), but instead lists a number of physical
3mm cone expansion used by a number of the mines demonstrate either the reliability, or the lack
to their high moisture contents. As with many In turn, the results of the analysis of the cargo involving samples being spread out on a floor in hot observations that indicate plastic deformation, as indicating a flow state, this sample would only thereof, of the certification offered by shippers. This
finely particulate minerals, including mineral ore loaded onboard the subject vessel would then be environments. One can therefore expect moisture and suggests procedures for measuring this fail the FTT if a tamping pressure >5.2KgF had been is beyond the capacity of a master or a non-
concentrates, these ores have the property that they presented to the next ship and so on. By the time loss due to evaporation and contact with a dry deformation. The physical signs include: ”moulded applied. This tamping pressure would correspond to specialised marine surveyor.
can liquefy and shift if their inherent moisture the subject consignment had actually been surface. Although this is not critical for FMP sides of the sample may deform”; “cracks may a cargo depth of only 3 - 4m. In reality, the depth of The BC Code describes a shipboard method (the “can
level is too high. There have been several serious characterised in terms of its suitability for carriage, determination (providing testing is carried out develop on the top surface” of the sample cone; “the cargo would be greater, requiring a correspondingly test”) for checking whether a cargo may be suitable for
instances of cargo liquefaction of nickel ore, it had already been loaded, making it more difficult correctly), it will result in an underestimation of the sample cone begins to show a tendency to stick to greater tamping pressure. By using a lower tamping shipment. This involves filling a small can with the
including total losses and near-misses. Nickel ore to resolve any issues arising. The master would have actual cargo to be loaded, from which there will be the mould”; and there may be “tracks of moisture on pressure you are underestimating the FMP. You can material and repeatedly banging it on a hard surface.
is subject to the IMO Code of Safe Practice for Solid been totally unaware of the fact that he was no such moisture loss. the table” following the test. As regards measuring effectively control whether a samples passes or fails The appearance of the material at the end of the test
Bulk Cargoes (BC Code) regulations on testing and carrying a potentially dangerous cargo. the extent of deformation, “an increase in diameter
certification of cargoes that are liable to liquefy.
Flow moisture point testing the test. can be used to shed light on the suitability of the
The shippers in this case (which is not exceptional in Appendix 2 of the BC Code provides three methods of up to 3mm in any part of the cone is a useful
material for shipment. This test should not be a
Assessing whether a cargo is safe to ship requires our experience) were in breach of the requirements for determining the FMP of commodities. One of guide”. An alternative approach is to measure the Determining moisture content
substitute for proper laboratory testing using an
the flow moisture point (FMP) to be measured and of the BC Code for a number of reasons. Firstly, the these methods, the flow table test (FTT), is the increase in diameter (if any) following additions of at flow point
appropriate methodology. However, if can tests carried
the transportable moisture limit (TML) to be moisture content data on the cargo certificates water to the sample. If in the first instance there is The FMP is determined by adding water to a stock
method of choice of the nickel ore mines. However, out on a cargo presented for loading indicate a
calculated (90% of FMP). The TML is then compared related to a different cargo and not the actual one 1 – 5mm increase, followed by 5 – 10mm increase, a sample of nickel ore until a flow state is determined.
FTT was developed for measuring the FMP of propensity for liquefaction, this is a major warning
to the moisture content of the cargo, and provided due to be carried. Secondly, the stockpiles intended flow state is indicated. At the mines there is no control of the laboratories’
relatively homogeneous mineral concentrates. The sign that the cargo as a whole is unsafe for carriage.
the TML is the higher figure, the cargo is safe to ship. for loading onboard the subject vessel had not been environment, and moisture loss can be expected.
BC Code states that the method is primarily for While some of the Philippine mines rely solely on Expert advice should then be sought. If shippers
The BC Code is specific in requiring that “the whole
identifying a subjective change in shape of the present significant amounts of ore that fails the can
moulded sample should be placed in a container,
sample cone, the Indonesian mines tend to rely only test, this is an indication that the cargo as a whole
weighed immediately and retained for moisture
on measuring the extent of the deformation is unsafe, and that any certification to the contrary
determination”. This is not done at many of the
(typically 3mm). These vastly different approaches is flawed.
mines. Instead, they start with a known weight of
can lead to a great variance in the declared FMP. No
sample that is fully utilized in the sample mould, and Minton, Treharne & Davies (S) Pte Ltd, 50A Bussorah
consideration is given to the overall behaviour of the
use the declared moisture content of the cargo as Street, Singapore 199466. Tel: +65 634 1506. Email:
sample, and the key indicators referred to in the BC
the baseline moisture content. If the sample passes mtd@minton.com.sg . Website: www.minton.co.uk
Code may simply be ignored.
the FTT the whole of the sample is removed and Brookes Bell, Martins Building, Exchange
Construction of the flow table water added, with the test being repeated. The new Flags, Liverpool, L2 3PG, UK. Telephone:
According to the BC Code the metal frame of the moisture content is then calculated based on the +44 151 236 0083. Email: liv@brookesbell.com
flow table is to be attached to a metal base plate, original sample weight and the volume of water Website: www.brookesbell.co.uk
which in turn is securely fixed to a concrete plinth added. We have witnessed both moisture and
that is isolated from the floor by cork matting. This sample loss during this procedure. The failure to
arrangement is designed to provide a known determine the moisture content of the samples
constant force to the sample during testing. experimentally will result in an overestimation of
Typically, the mines do not comply with the BC Code, the moisture content, and consequently, FMP.

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