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Intermediate Bulk Containers ( I.B.C.)handling technics- general cargo ship procedure

An I.B.C. is a disposable or re-usable container designed for the carriage of bulk commodities in parcels of between 0.5 and 3.0 tonnes. They are interchangeable between transport systems and the design incorporates attachments to facilitate efficient mechanical handling. Some are designed for carrying liquids. They are not suitable for pressurised commodities and emptying should be possible without the use of pressure. They differ from ISO freight containers in size and non-uniformity of shape. Indeed, some are designed to be modules of the internal dimensions of ISO freight containers .

bales
Intermediate bulk container


Materials and Construction

An I.B.C. may be constructed in either a flexible form, i.e. a bag able to carry dry bulk or liquid, or a rigid form, e.g. fibreboard, that is either collapsible or non-collapsible with or without a lining. Materials used for dry bulk bags include woven polypropylene and nylon, P.V.C. or P.U. coated polyester, plastic and rubber while rigid bins may be constructed of fibreboard (glued or stapled), metal, plastic or a combination of these.

Commodities

Typical commodities include cement, china clay, sugar, plastic granules, carbon black, sand, powdered chemicals, syrup, fruit juices, oils, detergent liquids and non-hazardous chemical liquids.

Characteristics

Containers are usually manufactured to a particular customer's requirements for size, material and thus, the requirements of the commodity to be carried. Plan dimensions are usually compatible with standard pallet sizes­indeed some I.B.C.s utilise a pallet as part of the base. This allows stacking and handling to be complementary to the stacking and handling of other unit loads.

Bins are usually fitted with access for fork lift tines at the bottom or may have lifting points on top. The fibreboard bin is constructed from heavy duty double walled corrugated fibreboard which is sometimes glued and more usually stapled at the joints. Any lining is usually of a light plastic material designed for one-way use only. Bins may be fitted with a metal frame which improves the rigidity and facilitates stacking.

Bags are fitted with strapping loops built into the bag to facilitate lifting and may also have a loop on the under side so that the bag may be easily up-ended for emptying.

I.B.C.s should not be filled with commodities which can damage the material or construction in such a way as to reduce their overall strength nor should they be filled with more goods than the safe working load indicates. Appropriate national or international regulations should be complied with, e.g. the IMDG Code.

Handling

Bags are designed to be handled by fork lift trucks, cranes and derricks using one, two or four lifting points and it is important that all points are utilised whenever the loaded bag is lifted.

Bins are usually supplied with skids, fork pockets or similar and should always be lifted and handled using those facilities.

Manufacturers' recommendations for handling should be followed at all times regarding lifting, stacking, securing and lifting points. Containers should not normally be stacked more than three or four high and only when construction of the I.B.C. itself and/or the strength of the contents will permit the resulting pressure of such top weight. Special lifting cradles are often used to facilitate the multiple handling of I.B.C.s and care should be taken to ensure that the S.W.L. of the cradle is not exceeded.

Stowage

Some I.B.C.s are constructed in such a way and of such dimensions that they are suitable for stuffing into ISO containers to obtain maximum utilisation of cube and weight. When a container is so stuffed, care must be taken to ensure all lifting points are easily accessible when stripping the container.

When stowed in a general cargo ship it is advisable to keep I.B.C.s separate from other forms of break bulk cargo so that they can be readily lifted, handled and positioned using mechanical means. If an I.B.C. is damaged during handling it should immediately be temporarily repaired to preserve its integrity until the end of the voyage. I.B.C.s that are designed for one voyage only should not be reused.




Summarized below some more details on general cargo ship cargo handling procedure and operational info:
  1. Cargo handling procedure for general cargo ship

  2. Suitable safety nets or temporary fencing should be rigged where personnel have to walk or climb across built-up cargo, and are therefore at risk of falling .
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  3. Various cargo handling techniques

  4. (a) Technological advances in ship design and lifting equipment (b) Rapid development and increase in the tonnages of bulk cargo (c) The impact of unitisation, and (d) The new and modern techniques of refrigeration, particularly with container carriage.
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  5. Cargo information rules

  6. The MS (Carriage of Cargoes) Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/336) [Regulation 4(1)] specifies that the shipper must provide such information to the operator or master sufficiently in advance of loading to enable them to ensure that: • the different commodities to be carried are compatible with each other or suitably separated;.
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  7. Cargo packaging - general cargo ships procedure

  8. To achieve compatibility between cargo owners and the owners of the means of transport requires knowledge of the cargo-handling procedures in transport. These procedures are described with reference to major characteristics of commodities and cargoes. .
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  9. Cargo stowage plan

  10. The copies are forwarded to agents at ports of discharge to allow the booking and reservation of labour, as appropriate. Relevant details of cargoes, i.e. total quantity, description of package, bales, pallets etc., tonnage, port of discharge, identification marks and special features if and when separated .
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  11. Shipment procedure for cargoes in different forms

  12. General cargo is a term that covers a great variety of goods. In regard to modern cargo handling it refers to loose cargo that has not been consolidated for handling with mechanical means such as unitised or containerised cargo. It refers to individual items of any type of cargo, bagged or baled items, cases or crates, individual drums or barrels pieces of machinery or small items of steel construction. .
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  13. Information exchange on cargo stowage and planning

  14. Advance planning, exchange of information, and continuous ship to shore communication are all critical. All cargoes should be stowed and secured in a manner that will avoid exposing the ship and persons on board to unnecessary risk.
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  15. Lifting and carriage of deck cargo

  16. The safe securing of all deck cargoes should be checked by a competent person before the vessel proceeds on passage. The master is responsible for ensuring that it is correctly stowed and adequately secured for the intended voyage. Areas on the deck which are not to be used for cargo stowage should be clearly marked or otherwise indicated. .
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  17. Safe use of pesticides on board cargo ships

  18. Ship's personnel should not handle fumigants and such operations should be carried out only by qualified operators. Fumigation should only be carried out with the agreement of the ship's master..
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  19. Types of packaging & stowage methods for break bulk cargo

  20. The rigging time being negligible, and the crane is able to pick up and land permitted loads anywhere within its working radius. .
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  21. Various commodities carried by general cargo ships

  22. Cargoes should be stowed and secured in a manner that will avoid exposing the ship and persons on board to unnecessary risk. The safe stowage and securing of cargo depends upon proper planning, execution and supervision by properly qualified and experienced personnel. .
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  23. Methods of ventilation

  24. The holds of most dry cargo ships are ventilated by a mechanical supply and natural exhaust system .
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  25. Carriage of containers on cargo ships

  26. The process of loading and securing of goods into a container should follow the IMO/ILO/UN/ECE Guidelines for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTUs). Special care should be taken when lifting a container the centre of gravity of which is mobile, e.g. a tank container, bulk container or a container with contents which are hanging..
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  27. Working in cargo spaces safely

  28. Safety arrangements prior to working cargo should ensure that adequate and suitable lifting plant is available, in accordance with the register of lifting appliances and cargo gear, .
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  29. Cargo handling procedure for general cargo ship

  30. Suitable safety nets or temporary fencing should be rigged where personnel have to walk or climb across built-up cargo, and are therefore at risk of falling .
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