Silver nitrate testing for salt in cargo holds important to avoid claims
American Club has issued some guidance about the use of silver nitrate testing for the presence of sodium chloride (salt) in cargo holds prior to loading and advises it is an important practice to prevent claims for damage to steel cargoes.
As part of the standard pre-load survey for the transportation of steel cargoes, vessel cargo hold tank tops, adjacent sides, and end plating, should be tested for the presence of salt by using a silver nitrate solution. American Club says in most ports within the People’s Republic of China (PRC), direct access to vessels by Association approved surveyors has been restricted. However, as a result of the recent easing of the PRC’s “zero-COVID” policy restrictions, it is expected that there will be a similar easing of restrictions in ports in the coming months.
In the meantime, vessel crews are recommended to perform such tests where surveyors are not able to attend prior to loading of the steel cargo. This will allow the crew to determine if there are cargo hold locations that should be cleaned further or covered in tarpaulins to prevent contact between sodium chloride affected areas and the cargo.
Operators are advised to consider: - Ensuring enough silver nitrate is available on board;
- Establishing procedures to guide the crew as to which key locations in the cargo holds that should be tested; - Establishing guidelines for the crew to follow in the event of positive silver nitrate test results.
Decisions made at the IMO SDC sub-committee meeting
The 9th session of the IMO Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC 9) took place from 23 to 27 January. DNV has published an overview of the meeting, which covered some important regulatory topics.
Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP)
Amendments to the 2011 ESP Code to align the code with the survey and certification requirements of the IACS UR Z series were adopted in 2019and entered into force on 1 January 2021. SDC 9 agreed on draft modifications to the 2019 amendments in order for both administrations and organizations recognized by the administrations to be involved with approval and auditing of firms engaged in thickness measurements of hull structures on oil tankers. The draft amendments will be submitted to MSC 107 (June 2023) for approval.
Other highlights
- Agreed to extend the requirements to on-board emergency towing devises to all new ships over 20,000 gross tonnage.
- Agreed to implement an asbestos ban in the MODU Code on new installations on existing units in alignment with that in SOLAS.
- Agreed to revised Guidelines for the Reduction of Underwater Noise from Commercial Shipping to Address Adverse Impacts on Marine Life.
- Progressed the development of goal-based requirements for SOLAS Chapter II-1. - Progressed a revision of the interim explanatory notes to the Safe Return to Port requirements in SOLAS.
DNV has helpfully combined an overview of the outcomes reached at the meeting. Download it at
https://bit.ly/3Y7n9Sx.
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