Bulk cargo liquefaction: the gap between regulation and reality

Despite decades of regulation, bulk cargo liquefaction continues to cost lives at sea, writes Karolina Cirjak, consultant Master Mariner

According to the INTERCARGO Bulk Carrier Casualty Report for 2010-2019, 106 seafarers lost their lives due to solid bulk cargo liquefaction. The actual number was 143, if the two additional bulk carrier losses officially classified as "unknown" are included. Since both vessels were loaded with nickel ore, the likely cause was cargo liquefaction. This conclusion was confirmed in the 2012-2021 report. Of those 143 fatalities, 119 resulted from nickel ore liquefaction, six from iron ore fines liquefaction and 18 from bauxite dynamic separation - a different phenomenon, but with the same tragic outcome: capsizing and sinking.