Use “can-test” to avoid loss of life from cargo liquefaction, suggests Club

In the past decade, at least 100 seafarers have lost their lives due to incidents which have been attributed to bulk cargoes liquefying at sea. Senior claims director at the UK Club, Alan Speed, said: “The issue of liquefaction remains high on the UK Club’s loss prevention agenda. Solid bulk cargoes such as unprocessed mineral ores and refined mineral concentrates have certain characteristics that, although they may appear to be in a dry, granular state upon loading, contain enough moisture to become fluid under the compaction and vibration that occurs during a voyage. The resulting cargo shift can be sufficient to capsize a vessel and sadly cost lives.