Answer
Due to historical casualties involving structural failures and heavy cargo liquefaction/shift, specific safety codes (SOLAS Chapter XII, IMSBC Code, BLU Code) mandate structural and operational safeguards:
- Water Ingress Detection Systems (WIDS): Mandatory installation of visual and audible high-level water alarms in all cargo holds, ballast tanks forward of the collision bulkhead, and dry spaces extending forward of the rearmost cargo hold (SOLAS Reg. XII/12).
- Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP): Mandatory rigorous inspection framework under the IMO ESP Code focusing on close-up structural surveys, thickness measurements of transverse bulkheads, side shell frames, and top-side tanks.
- Bulk Carrier Hold Dewatering Arrangements: Means to drain or pump out ballast and cargo holds using reliable bilge pumping systems capable of being operated from outside the hold space.
- Solid Bulk Cargo Density & Loading Controls:
- Strict adherence to the Loading Manual and Loading Instrument to prevent exceeding maximum allowable bending moments and shear forces.
- Liquefaction Prevention: Testing for Moisture Content (MC) vs. Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) for Group A cargoes (e.g., iron ore fines, nickel ore) before loading.
- Structural Strengthening: Reinforced double bottom structures, corrugated transverse bulkheads, and enhanced strength criteria for side structures in single-side skin bulk carriers.