Ammonium nitrate based fertilizer (UN 2071)  must only be loaded in clean cargo space which can be opened up in an emergency.

Top Dressing. Ammonium nitrate being applied t...
Top Dressing. Ammonium nitrate being applied to pasture land by a spinning disc spreader. The material can be seen leaving the discs in a spread pattern. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When bagged or containerized cargo is loaded the cargo shall be accessible through hatch entries and mechanical ventilation must enable the vessel to exhaust any gasses of fumes generated from decomposition

Prior loading consideration must be taken about the need to open cargo hatches in case of a fire to provide ventilation and to apply water in emergency also we must take in to consideration about the risk of stability of the ship through flooding of the cargo space.

Series of hatch covers on the deck of a bulk c...
Series of hatch covers on the deck of a bulk carrier, the Zaira. Français : Suite de panneaux de cale sur le pont du vraquier Zaira. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The residue left after decomposition may have only half the mass of the original cargo; this loss of mass may also affect the stability of the ship and shall be considered before loading.

For long international voyages it is a mandatory requirement to stow ammonium nitrate based fertilizer our of direct contact with a metal engine-room bulkhead which can be done by using wooden board to provide an air space between the bulkhead and the cargo.

By shashi kallada

25 years in Merchant Shipping, Last 13 years working on Packaged Dangerous Goods Sailor, Ex Manager Global Dangerous Goods Maersk Line * Freelance Photographer *Amateur Cyclist

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