Some bulk cargoes can cause cargo liquefaction if the moisture
content exceeds a certain level. Cargo liquefaction occurs when dry
bulk cargoes with high moisture content start to behave like
liquids when the ship is moving. Such cargoes shift rapidly in the
holds of a ship, resulting in free surface effect, making the ship
unstable and potentially causing it to capsize.
This arises if the shippers do not comply with the testing and
certification requirements that are required under SOLAS and the
IMSBC Code 20091 and designed to ensure that cargoes are
loaded only if the moisture content is sufficiently low to avoid
liquefaction occurring during the voyage2.
Iron and other mineral ore as well as bauxite cargoes which are
left in the open prior to shipment are subject to rain and weather
conditions, which can increase the moisture content to dangerous
levels. These problems related to wet cargo and moisture content
particularly worsen during regional wet seasons. In
