Terminal Operational Damage Briefing

Issue Summary

There are some reports of dry bulk vessels abeing damaged through specific operational practices at certain terminals.

Intercargo Policy

Although a comparatively rare phenomena, Intercargo believes that owners should be aware of the effects of harsh terminal operations on the structural integrity of the ship and should take whatever steps are necessary – including the use of appropriate Charterparty Clauses, to create an improved operational environment in the ship-port interface.

Summary of Recent Developments

For many years, Intercargo has encouraged its members to complete a Terminal Report Form, outlining allegations of stevedore damage.

Interest in completing and returning such forms to Intercargo has waned considerably in recent years and in recognition of this fact, Intercargo switched over to a system whereby Masters were encouraged to return such forms only in cases where some negative or exceptional issue had been encountered. From the forms that have been returned to Intercargo in the last 1-2 years, only a very tiny minority – less than 2%, showed any reported ship damage through stevedore action and although information was incomplete, there appeared to be no cases where the damage and compensation was not effectively resolved before the ship left the terminal.

Using other industry data, the following terminal or cargo issues were reported in 2008 although it can be assumed that the figures given show an under-reporting of the true numbers of cases.

Issues connected with the cargo crane of the ship – 4
Cargo quality / contamination of the ship through dust – 2
Stevedore damage – 3
Deck cargo lost (logger) - 1

Stevedore damage invariable involved the loading or discharge of scrap or steel cargoes.

However, the issue of concern raised by Intercargo members concerned the inadequacy of fendering at a very limited number of terminals where cargoes are effectively transhipped using crane barges or other fixed transhipment systems. Without proper and adequate fendering systems, a rubbing motion caused by tidal movement can cause damage to the Bulk Carrier.

Last Updated on Friday, 24 July 2009 13:28