ABS publishes Guide for Special Loading of Ore and Ore/Oil Carriers

The American Bureau of Shipping has published the Guide for Special Loading of Ore and Ore/Oil Carriers.

This Guide was published on February 1st, 2023, and became effective on the same date.

With the drive for increasing loading and unloading efficiency at many ore cargo terminals, there is a strong desire in the shipping industry for optional classification notations for vessels carrying ore cargoes that are compatible with the high loading rates at these terminals.

This Guide is developed and issued to address this demand with design and loading guidance.

The evaluation procedure and technical requirements are to be used for verifying the eligibility of a vessel for the optional notations LDCARE1 (Loading Care 1) and LDCARE2 (Loading Care 2).

In addition, iron ore fines having a moisture content in excess of the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) are only to be carried in specially constructed, or in specially fitted, cargo ships according to Paragraph 7.3.1.1 of the IMSBC Code.

Due to the lack of specific requirements in IMO regulations and ABS Rules for vessels capable of carrying iron ore fines with moisture content in excess of the TML, this Guide provides both stability and hull strength requirements for this purpose with the optional notation TML.

Users are advised to check periodically on the ABS website www.eagle.org to verify that this version of this Guide is the most current.

If you need more information, please visit the ABS Rules and Guides page, where the document is available FOR FREE.