Table of Contents

• Safety Requirements and Other Precautions

to be Followed During Loading, Carriage, and
Discharge of Coal Cargoes
• Requirements for all Ships Loading Coal in
Canadian Ports and all Canadian Ships Loading
Coal Anywhere
o A. All Coals
o B. Coals that Emit Methane
o C. Self Heating Coals
o D. Coals Whose Behavioral Pattern is
Unknown
• Recording Forms
• Appendix A
• Appendix B

Safety Requirements and Other Precautions to be

Followed During Loading, Carriage, and Discharge of
Coal Cargoes

Introduction
In order to eliminate the risks of explosion or spontaneous combustion that are
associated with some coal cargoes the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have
developed recommended safety procedures for ships loading coal. The following
instructions are taken from the coal Schedule in Appendix B of the IMO Code of Safe
Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (BC Code). These instructions meet the special
operational needs of self-unloaders and apply to all ships, including any foreign
vessel either loading or unloading coal in Canadian ports and to Canadian ships
in all waters.

The dangers associated with the carriage of coal are explosion due to a build up of
methane gas or spontaneous combustion due to oxidization of the cargo. It should be
pointed out that such risks are usually associated with coals of known specific origins.
However, due to modern shipping trends such as mixing and blending of coals, these
dangers may also occur with coals of other origins. There are basic precautions that must
be followed with all coals cargoes (see section A for further details) and these are
augmented when coals identified as having a known propensity to emit large quantities of
methane or to readily self-heat (oxidize) are to be carried.

Methane is a gas, which is lighter than air and may therefore accumulate in the upper
regions of cargo spaces. Methane explosions can be extremely violent and may cause
considerable damage. A methane/air mixture containing between 5% and 16%
constitutes an explosive atmosphere, which can readily be ignited by sparks or naked
flame. The only sure safeguard is to ensure that the surface of the cargo receives ample
and regular ventilation (see section B for further details). Similarly isolated pockets of gas
inside a coal pile may be freed during handling and discharge of the cargo. In the case of
self-unloaders this may introduce methane into the tunnels.
In the case of cargoes that spontaneously heat, (see section C for further details), this
phenomenon is the result of coal particles oxidizing as it comes into contact with the air.
This reaction causes heating and can eventually result in fire breaking out.

Some coals may be liable to react with water and produce acids, which may cause
corrosion. Flammable and toxic gases, including hydrogen, may be produced. Hydrogen is
an odorless gas, much lighter than air, and has flammable limits in air of 4% to 75% by
volume.

The type of coal you are loading is described on the Cargo Declaration, which should be
supplied to you by the shipper. In the absence of such declaration, the master shall
assume that the coal is of unknown origin and handle the cargo as per the special
precautions in section D.

Should you require any further information, please contact your local Transport Canada
(Marine Safety) Office, or Port State Competent Authority.

Requirements for all Ships Loading Coal in Canadian

Ports and all Canadian Ships Loading Coal Anywhere

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A. All Coals
1. Segregation and Stowage Requirements
a. Boundaries of cargo spaces where
materials are carried shall be resistant to
fire and liquids.
b. Coals shall be “separated from”
goods of classes 1 (except division 1.4), 2,
3, 4, and 5 in packaged form (see the
International Maritime Dangerous Goods
Code (IMDG Code) and “separated from”
solid bulk materials of classes 4 and 5.1.
c. Stowage of goods of class 5.1 in
packaged form or solid bulk materials of
class 5.1 above or below a coal cargo shall
be prohibited.
d. Coals shall be “separated
longitudinally by an intervening complete
compartment or hold from” goods of class
1 other than division 1.4.
2. SOLAS CHAPTER VI REGULATION 2
REQUIREMENTS: Prior to loading, the shipper or
his appointed agent shall provide in writing the
appropriate information on the cargo to the
master, as per SOLAS Chapter VI, Regulation 2.
The cargo information, which is also applicable to
non-Convention ships, shall include information on
the stowage factor of the cargo, the trimming
procedures and, the moisture content of the cargo
and its transportable moisture limit. It shall
describe the characteristics of the cargo and the
recommended safe handling procedures for loading
and transport of the cargo and especially whether
the cargo is liable to emit methane or self-
heat.
3. Loading shall not commence until the
appropriate cargo declaration has been provided to
the master. For vessels regularly loading coal
in Great Lakes ports no cargo declaration
need be required provided the master at the
time of loading has declared in writing the
coal as unknown and put into place the
precautions in section D.
4. Where the shipper has advised that the
cargo is liable to emit methane or self-heat, the
master shall additionally refer to sections B or C of
these instructions.
5. Where the shipper has advised that the
cargo’s behavioral pattern is unknown the master
shall additionally refer to section D of these
instructions.
Should it not be possible to obtain a cargo
declaration from the shipper, then the cargo
should also be treated as cargo with unknown
behavior (see section D). Should the
characteristics of any coal carried vary
considerably from those given in any cargo
declaration the Transport Canada, Marine
Safety Branch in Ottawa should be notified
with details i.e. shipper, date, port, country,
and terminal.
6. The shipper shall ensure that the master
receives co-operation from the terminal with
regard to loading procedures (trimming etc.)
7. Information records – The most
comprehensive record of measurements will
always be the log used to record daily results. The
following minimum information is essential if an
accurate assessment of the situation is to be
achieved:
a. identity of the holds involved;
monitoring results covering carbon
monoxide, methane and oxygen
concentrations;
b. if available, temperature of coal,
location and method used to obtain results;
c. time gas samples taken (monitoring
routine);
d. time ventilators opened/closed;
e. quantity of coal in hold(s) involved;
f. type of coal as per shipper’s
declaration, and any special precautions
indicated on declaration;
g. date loaded, and ETA at intended
discharge port (which should be specified);
and
h. comments or observations from the
ship’s master.
8. Before and during loading, and until the
cargo is discharged, the master shall ensure
that:
a. all cargo spaces and bilge wells are
clean and dry. Any residue of waste
material or previous cargo shall be
removed, including removable cargo
battens;
b. all electrical cables and components
situated in cargo spaces and in adjacent
spaces are free of defects. Where possible
due to the particular construction of the
ship, any such cables and components
should be safe for use in hazardous zones
or means should be provided for positive
isolations.

Ships that are self-unloader, and Canadian

registered need not to comply with
paragraph (b), however, electrical
equipment installed in adjacent spaces,
tunnels, etc. should:
i. have a minimum of Class II,
Group F, Division 2 rating, in
accordance with the Canadian
Electrical Code, or higher; and
ii. be suitably ventilated.
iii. For these self unloader ships,
forced ventilation system
(mechanical) shall be installed and
powered up in unloading tunnels
and loopbelt tunnels (or any other
transfer equipment). It is
recommended that ventilation be
achieved by means of forced air
supply and natural exhaust. Where
exhaust type fans are used,
equipment shall be “certified safe”.
Procedures, relating to operation in
hazardous environment, should be
documented and in place.
c. the ship shall be suitably fitted and
carry on board appropriate instruments for
measuring the following, without requiring
entry into the cargo space, where
practicable:
i. concentration of methane in
the atmosphere( Explosimeter or
Methanometer type);
ii. concentration of oxygen in
the atmosphere;
iii. concentration of carbon
monoxide in the atmosphere;
iv. pH value of cargo hold bilge
samples, as appropriate; and
v. temperature monitoring
during the voyage is considered
optional and is not required by
Canada.
vi. These instruments shall be
regularly serviced and calibrated.
Ship personnel shall be trained in
the use of such instruments.
Details of gas measurement
procedures are given in
appendix A.
d. the ship shall carry on board self-
contained breathing apparatus required by
SOLAS regulation II-2/17. The self-
contained breathing apparatus shall be
worn only by personnel trained in its use;
e. smoking and the use of naked
flames shall not be permitted in the
cargo areas and adjacent spaces and
appropriate warning notices shall be
posted in conspicuous places. Burning,
cutting, chipping, welding or other sources
of ignition shall not be permitted in the
vicinity of cargo spaces or in other adjacent
spaces, unless the space has been properly
ventilated and the methane gas
measurements indicate it is safe to do so;
f. the coal cargo shall not be stowed
adjacent to hot areas;
g. prior to departure the surface of the
cargo shall be trimmed reasonably level to
the boundaries of the cargo space to avoid
the formation of gas pockets and to
prevent air from permeating the body of
the coal. All access openings leading into
the cargo space shall be adequately sealed;
h. the atmosphere in the space above
the cargo in each cargo space should be
regularly monitored as appropriate for the
presence of methane, oxygen and carbon
monoxide. Details of gas monitoring
procedures are given in Appendix A.
Records of these readings should be
maintained. The frequency of the testing
should depend upon the information
provided by the shipper and the
information obtained through the analysis
of the atmosphere in the cargo space.
i. for bulk carriers unless expressly
directed otherwise, all holds should be
surface ventilated for the first 24 hours
after departure from the loading port.
During this period, one measurement
should be taken from one sample point per
hold. If after 24 hours the methane
concentrations are at an acceptably low
level, the ventilators should be closed. If
not, they should remain open until
acceptably low levels are obtained. In
either event measurements should be
continued on a daily basis.

If significant concentrations of methane

subsequently occur in unventilated holds
the appropriate special precautions as
described in section C.2.a. should apply.

For Canadian self-unloaders the above

is not applicable but alternative appropriate
methods should be used.

j. As far as possible any gases which

may be emitted from the materials do not
accumulate in adjacent spaces.
k. Adjacent working spaces, e.g.
storerooms, carpenter’s shop, passage
ways, tunnels, etc., are regularly
monitored for the presence of methane,
oxygen and carbon monoxide. Such spaces
should be adequately ventilated.
l. Regular hold bilge testing should be
systematically carried out, if applicable. If
the pH monitoring indicates that a
corrosion risk exists, the master should
ensure that all bilges are kept dry during
the voyage in order to avoid possible
accumulation of acids on tank tops and in
the bilge system.
m. the atmosphere in the space above
the cargo shall be monitored for the
presence of adequate oxygen before
permitting anyone to enter into such
space*; and
n. if the behavior of the cargo during
the voyage differs from that described in
the Cargo Declaration, such differences
shall be reported to the shipper and to
Marine Safety, Transport Canada Ottawa.
o. * refer to appendix F of the IMO BC
Code for entry into enclosed spaces
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B. Coals that Emit Methane

In addition to the requirements of section A, the following procedures must also be

followed:

1. The master of a ship loading coal of this

type, prior to loading, shall ensure:
a. there exists a natural ventilation
system, capable of providing adequate
surface ventilation;
OR
there exists a mechanical ventilation
system capable of providing ventilation
appropriate to the type of the ship. Exhaust
systems shall be safe for use in an
explosive atmosphere;
b. the ship is equipped with at least-two
suitable portable apparatus capable of
measuring:

0-100% of the L.E.L. of methane gas

(Explosimeter type)
OR
0-5% of methane concentration in air
(Methanometer type such as MSA-D6)

and at least two officers have been

instructed in the use and maintenance of
such equipment;
c. the ship is generally acceptable for
the carriage of the cargo in question.
d. All ships shall be inspected for the
above requirements by a Transport
Canada, Marine Safety inspectors prior to
their first loading of this type of coal and at
least once a year. Canadian registered
ships may elect to have this done during
the annual inspection.
2. If the shipper has advised that the cargo is
liable to emit methane or analysis of the
atmosphere in the cargo space, or unloading space
if applicable, indicates the presence of methane in
excess of 20% of the lower explosive limit (LEL),
the master shall ensure:
a. that procedures are in place to
establish whether any methane is in fact
emitted at top of cargo holds. This shall be
done as a minimum the first few days of
any voyage until ascertaining that no gas is
present. Any gas reading with vents open
should indicate potential of gas build-up
with vents closed;
b. adequate surface ventilation should
be maintained. On no account should air be
directed into the body of the coal as air
could promote self-heating;
c. care should be taken to vent any
accumulated gases prior to removal of the
hatch covers or other openings for any
reason, including unloading. Cargo hatches
and other openings should be opened
carefully to avoid creating sparks. Smoking
and the use of naked flame should be
prohibited. On self unloader type ships,
adjacent spaces, tunnels, etc. must be
adequately ventilated before electrical
power sources etc. are activated;
d. personnel should not be permitted to
enter the cargo space or enclosed adjacent
spaces unless the space has been
ventilated and the atmosphere tested and
found to be gas-free and to have sufficient
oxygen to support life. If this is not
possible, emergency entry into the space
should be undertaken only by trained
personnel wearing self-contained breathing
apparatus, under the supervision of a
responsible officer. In addition, special
precautions to ensure that no source of
ignition is carried into the space should be
observed (see also section 3 and appendix
F of the BC Code);
e. adjacent working spaces, e.g.
storerooms, carpenter’s shops, passage
ways, tunnels, etc., are regularly
monitored for the presence of methane.
Such spaces should be adequately
ventilated and, in the case of mechanical
ventilation, only equipment safe for use in
an explosive atmosphere should be used.
On self unloader type ships, supply
ventilation equipment for tunnels does not
need to be explosion proof. Testing is
especially important prior to permitting
personnel to enter such spaces or
energizing equipment within those spaces.
Monitoring of the cargo surface, as well as
the unloading space, if applicable, is
integral to the determination of the
characteristics during transportation; and
f. the No Smoking provision and
posting of signs are strictly adhered to.

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C. Self Heating Coals

Some coals may be liable to self-heating that could lead to spontaneous combustion in
the cargo space. Flammable and toxic gases, including carbon monoxide, may be
produced. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas, slightly lighter than air, and has
flammable limits in air of 12% to 75% by volume. It is toxic by inhalation, with an affinity
for blood hemoglobin over 200 times that of oxygen. In addition to the requirements of
section A, the following procedures must also be followed:

1. The master of a ship loading coal of this

type, prior to loading, shall ensure:
a. the ship carries on board the
following instruments for measuring the
following without requiring entry into the
cargo holds:
i. the concentration of carbon
monoxide in the atmosphere and
optionally;
ii. the temperature of the cargo
in the range between 0ºC-100ºC
(see 2(d)); and
b. the ship is generally acceptable for
the carriage of the cargo in question.
c. All ships shall be inspected for the
above requirements by a Transport
Canada, Marine Safety inspector prior to
their first loading of this type of coal and at
least once a year. Canadian registered
ships may elect to have this done during
their annual inspection.
2. The master should seek confirmation that
the precautions intended to be taken and the
procedures intended for monitoring the cargo
during the voyage are adequate. If the cargo is
liable to self-heat or analysis of the atmosphere in
the cargo space indicates an increasing
concentration of carbon monoxide, then the
following additional precautions should be taken:
a. the hatches should be closed
immediately after completion of loading in
each cargo space. The hatch covers can
also be additionally sealed with a suitable
sealing tape. Surface ventilation should be
limited to the absolute minimum time
necessary to remove methane which may
have accumulated. Forced ventilation
should not be used. On no account should
air be directed into the body of the coal as
air could promote self-heating. Similarly,
oxidization could occur through self-
unloading gates if positive pressure
ventilation is in effect;
b. personnel shall not be permitted to
enter any cargo space, unloading spaces
and or self unloader’s tunnels, unless they
are wearing self-contained breathing
apparatus and access is critical to the
safety of the ship or safety of life. The self-
contained breathing apparatus should be
worn only by personnel trained in its use.
Where the operations of the ship requires
entry into cargo space, unloading spaces
and or self unloader’s tunnels, entry shall
not be permitted unless the atmosphere is
at a safe level not exceeding 50 ppm*;

* refer to appendix F of the IMO BC Code

for entry into enclosed spaces

c. carbon monoxide and optionally

temperature levels shall be monitored at
regular intervals and logged;
d. if at the time of loading, when the
hatches are open, the temperature of the
coal exceeds 55ºC, expert advice should be
obtained; and
e. if the carbon monoxide level is
increasing steadily, a potential self-heating
may be developing. The cargo space should
be completely closed down and all
ventilation ceased. The master should seek
expert advice immediately. Water should
not be used for cooling the material or
fighting coal cargo fires at sea, but may be
used for cooling the boundaries of the
cargo space and if, at sea in Canadian
waters, the master should also advise the
nearest Transport Canada Marine Safety
office. For Canadian self-unloaders the
above is not applicable but alternative
appropriate methods should be used
as outlined in A2.7 .

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D. Coals Whose Behavioral Pattern is Unknown

In addition to the requirements of Section A, the following procedures must also be

followed:

1. The master of a ship loading coal of this

type, prior to loading shall ensure:
a. the ship carries on board appropriate
instruments for measuring without
requiring entry into the cargo space:
i. concentration of methane in
the atmosphere (Explosimeter or
Methanometer type);
ii. concentration of oxygen in
the atmosphere; and
iii. (1) concentration of carbon
monoxide in the atmosphere and

(2) optionally temperature of the

cargo in the range between 0°C-
100ºC.
b. crew members are proficient in
operating the equipment in (a);
c.
i. there exists a natural
ventilation system, capable of
providing adequate surface
ventilation OR
ii. there exists a mechanical
ventilation system capable of
providing adequate surface
ventilation. Exhaust systems shall
be safe for use in an explosive
atmosphere.
d. The ship is generally acceptable for
the carriage of the cargo in question.
e. All ships shall be inspected for the
above requirements by a Transport
Canada, Marine Safety inspector prior to
their first loading of this type of coal and at
least once a year. Canadian registered
ships may elect to have this done during
their annual inspection.
2. The master shall ensure that all provisions of
sections B.2 or C.2 of these instructions are
complied with, as required by monitoring.

What risk does the coal pose?

Information on the impact of coal in the marine environment is Iimited. Coal
dumped in the marine environment may have two types of effect; physical
and chemical.

-Physical
Typically coal is a mixture of chunks of various size as well as coal dust.
Large quantities dumped will bury marine organisms and the finer coal
dust will choke and smother organisms as well as reduce water clarity.
Effects are similar to the dumping of other sediments in the marine
environment.

-Chemical
Depending on the type of coal, the chemical composition varies. Generally
coal contains trace levels of toxic contaminants such as heavy metals and
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) but these are unlikely to be
released from the coal into seawater. Consequently direct toxicity is not
thought to be a major threat.