Malaysia - Ball Clay Cargoes

In August 2013 the Club published a Loss Prevention Safety Alert detailing a cargo liquefaction incident involving a full cargo of Ball Clay loaded in Lumut, Malaysia for discharge in Chittagong, Bangladesh.

The Club has recently experienced another similar case involving an entered vessel which loaded a cargo declared as Ball Clay, again in Lumut, destined for discharge in Chittagong. After a day on passage the vessel developed a 9° list to port due to liquefaction of the base of the cargo in no.1 hold, however, the Master was able to proceed to a place of safety without further incident.

Laboratory testing of samples of the cargo drawn from the vessel showed a Flow Moisture Point (FMP) of 29.7% and Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) of 26.7%, when determined on the flow table, and an FMP of 32.1% and TML of 28.9% when determined by the penetration test. The lowest moisture content of the cargo onboard was notably higher than either TML, at 36.4%.

Members considering loading a clay cargo, be it declared as Ball Clay or Kaolin Clay, in Lumut are strongly advised to consider the guidance contained in the Club’s Loss Prevention Safety Alert; Cargo Liquefaction Incident – Ball Clay from Malaysia, and to act accordingly:

Cargo Liquefaction Incident – Ball Clay from Malaysia – English

Cargo Liquefaction Incident – Ball Clay from Malaysia – Chinese

Cargo Liquefaction Incident – Ball Clay from Malaysia – Vietnamese

Members requiring further guidance should contact the Loss Prevention department.