Van AalstTBA GroupPort of South LouisianaGeneva DryBühler GmbHTelestack
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Vigan
  • Bühler GmbH
  • Port of Stockton
  • Telestack
  • Sailors Society

Bulker Owners in Deep Water Warns The Swedish Club

(Posted on 09/05/18)

Bulk carrier owners are warned to pay extra attention to the basics in a new report issued by The Swedish Club. The Club has found that for bulk carrier operators, wet damage is the most costly claim type and the second most common claim that they experience.
 
The report, Wet Damage on Bulk Carriers, which has been prepared in conjunction with DNV GL, and MacGregor, identifies heavy weather and leaking hatch covers as both the most common and the most costly type of wet damage claim.  With the average cost for a wet damage cargo claim running at almost USD 110,000, this is sobering news.
 
Whilst weather routeing is used to minimise the effects of heavy weather, green sea on deck should be a surprise to no-one, and it is not unusual for cargo hatch covers to be fully immersed in sea water.  Incorrectly applied and poorly maintained cargo hatch covers and sealing systems significantly increase the risk of cargo becoming damaged by water. Case studies have revealed that many of these claims could be avoided, with hatch components in poor repair, and applications of tape and seal-foam proving no substitute for good maintenance.
 
“Hatches leak for a variety of reasons, but mainly because of poor maintenance or failure to close them properly,“ explains Lars A. Malm, Director, Strategic Business Development & Client Relations. “Leaking or badly maintained hatch covers can lead to more serious consequences than wet cargo – flooding, accelerated corrosion or even loss of the ship.”
 
The most common wet cargo issues include leaking cross joints, and compression bars, rubber gaskets, hatch coamings, drain channels and cleats in poor condition.
 
Wet Damage on Bulk Carriers offers practical advice on how to avoid these pitfalls, providing simple checklists and explanations of the routine tasks that can be carried out as part of a vessel’s PMS. Proper maintenance will save money and improve safety on board.

Latest News

ClassNK releases ‘Prime Shipmanagement Guidelines’

(Posted on 01/05/25)

ClassNK has released ‘Prime Shipmanagement Guidelines’ which aim to achieve sustainable... Read more


MCTC ensures quality remains at top of the table amid global tensions

(Posted on 30/04/25)

In the face of unpredictable provisioning costs, port disruptions, and longer lead times MCTC has reinforced... Read more


NORDEN raises full-year guidance for 2025

(Posted on 28/04/25)

On the back of the increased gains from sales of vessels and good operational performance, NORDEN, a... Read more


INTERCARGO welcomes ILO recognition of seafarers as key workers

(Posted on 28/04/25)

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has welcomed the recent decision... Read more


MMS advises why seafarers must remain vigilant about malaria

(Posted on 25/04/25)

Despite its lack of publicity, malaria remains an ongoing epidemic and a perilous threat to seafarers... Read more


Veson: Bulker S&P activity falls sharply in Q1 2025

(Posted on 22/04/25)

Due to market uncertainty, overall sale and purchase levels for Bulkers have fallen year on year, with... Read more


Britannia Group announces CEO succession plan

(Posted on 22/04/25)

The Britannia Group, a leading P&I insurer, has announced that its Chief Executive, Andrew Cutler... Read more


INTERCARGO responds to IMO's decision on GHG reduction measures

(Posted on 15/04/25)

At last week's landmark MEPC 83 meeting, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member States... Read more


NORDEN sells two additional vessels

(Posted on 15/04/25)

In line with NORDEN’s strategy to realise asset values, the global provider of ocean-based freight... Read more


ILO delivers on Seafarers Key Worker Rights and fair treatment

(Posted on 15/04/25)

The fifth meeting of the Special Tripartite Committee (STC) of the MLC concluded last week with some... Read more


CimbriaViganTMS Awards 2023Sailors SocietyPort of Stockton
  • TMS Awards 2023
  • TBA Group
  • Van Aalst

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping