International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes , IMSBC,  Code supersede Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes. IMSBC Code became mandatory from 1st January 2011.

Annex 4 of IMSBC Code is pertaining to training of terminal personnel involved in loading or unloading of bulk carriers

Ship pumping ballast water

Below is quoted from Annex 4 of IMSBC code

— quote —

Loader/unloader operator training should include:
1.  The general hazards of loading and/or unloading Bulk Carriers (ref. BLU Code (Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers) and BC Code (Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes))

2.  The dangerous effect improper loading and/or unloading can have on a ship.
Practical aspects to be included in the training should include:

The BLU Code so that they understand and appreciate both the obligations it places on their  terminal,  and  the  limitations  of  the  ships  the  terminal  personnel  are  loading  and/or  unloading.

The correct operating instructions for the ship loader or unloader they are operating.

A  basic  understanding  of  the mechanical  and  electrical  components  of  the  loader  and/or unloader  such  as  travel  drives,  braking  arrangements,  ropes  and  rope  care,  grab/trolley  winches, conveyors, operating and wind limits, storm anchoring.

Emergency procedures such as fire on ship, terminal, or loader and/or unloader; mooring incidents, emergency stops.

The correct techniques and patterns to be used to  load or unload a ship, depending on  the  type of and number of loaders or unloaders being used.

To load a ship:
Loader operators should have an appropriate understanding of how to:

Distribute  the  cargo  in  each hold  in  accordance with  the  agreed  cargo plan  to  ensure  the ship remains upright, and is neither stressed nor twisted.

Ensure  no  hold  is  overloaded  or  overfilled,  and  that  the  ship  can  be  safely  trimmed  on completion.

Ensure loading efficiency is maximized, as per the agreed loading/deballasting plan.

Ensure safety and environmental protection procedures are followed.

Ensure  that  good  communications  are  maintained  between  the  loader  operator  and  the designated ships officer, and between master and terminal representative.

To unload a ship:
Unloader operators should have an appropriate understanding of how to:
Unload the cargo from each hold in accordance with the agreed unloading plan  to ensure that the ship remains upright and is not stressed or twisted.

Remove the cargo from the holds by either grab or continuous unloader in a manner that minimizes the risk of damage to the ships structure.

Ensure  that  good  communications  are aintained  between  the  unloader  operator  and  the designated ships officer, and between master and terminal representative.

Assess the risks arising from cargo sticking in frames and on hopper sides and facilitate, if possible,  its safe  removal without  risk  to  the safety of  terminal personnel and ships crew members, or risk of damage to ship.

Terminal representative training
The terminal representative should:

1. Have a thorough understanding of the underlying principles related to the loading and/or unloading of bulk carriers as described in the BLU Code.

2.  Know how to implement all aspects of the BLU Code.

3.  Understand  and  manage  the  ship/shore  interface  in  relation  to  the  operations  and limitations  of  the  terminal,  its  cargo  handling  equipment  and  procedures,  the  planning, control  and  monitoring  of  cargoes,  relevant  properties  of  the  cargoes  being  handled, berthing/mooring operations and emergency procedures.

The training, assessment and certification of trainees should be carried out by competent persons within the framework of existing training standards and national health and safety legislation

—unquote —

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

Write your view

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.