AMENDMENTS TO THE IMSBC CODE AND SUPPLEMENTS. Supporting information for the proposed new individual schedule for Palm kernel shells

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Islands, Poland and the International Group of P&I Clubs SUMMARY Executive summary: This document contains information to support the proposed new individual schedule for Palm kernel shells in bulk

1 E SUB-COMMITTEE ON CARRIAGE OF CARGOES AND CONTAINERS 3rd session Agenda item 5 CCC 3/INF.21 1 July 2016 ENGLISH ONLY AMENDMENTS TO THE IMSBC CODE AND SUPPLEMENTS Supporting information for the proposed new individual schedule for Palm kernel shells Submitted by Liberia, the Marshall Islands, Poland and the International Group of P&I Clubs SUMMARY Executive summary: This document contains information to support the proposed new individual schedule for Palm kernel shells in bulk (Group B) in the IMSBC Code Strategic direction: 5.2 High-level action: Output: Action to be taken: Paragraph 3 Related document: CCC 3/5/16 Introduction 1 Further information on Palm kernel shells is provided to support the consideration of the proposed new schedule contained in document CCC 3/5/16. 2 The information is provided in accordance with the format for the properties of cargoes not listed in Appendix 1 of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code (MSC.1/Circ.1453/Rev.1) and including additional information based on a supplementary investigation research undertaken after two recent incidents involving the production of significant quantities of methane gas. Action requested of the Sub-Committee 3 The Sub-Committee is invited to note the information provided and take action as appropriate. ***

3 Annex, page 1 ANNEX INFORMATION ON PALM KERNEL SHELLS Basic background information Are there other synonyms or trade names in use? How is it manufactured, how is it made, or where does it originate? What is it used for? Where is it produced? In what countries? In what volumes? What experience do you have with the cargo? PKS, PKS Shells, PKS Fuel, Palm Shell Fuel. This cargo should not be confused with Palm Kernel Expellers which can contain more residual oil and are therefore regulated in the appropriate section of the IMSBC Code as SEED CAKE. The kernel, or nut, of the palm oil fruit is crushed to extract palm kernel oil leaving two residual products, namely Palm Kernel Shells and the previously mentioned Palm Kernel Expellers. A sustainable and renewable biofuel. Palm oil producing countries. Volumes are increasing. Commensurate with cargo volume growth. Primary experience through two, known potential incidents. Basic cargo properties The following information may be included in the Description section of the draft individual schedule. What colour is it? Does it have an odour? What form is the cargo in? What particle sizes? How much moisture is in the cargo? How much oil is in the cargo? How is it stored? Outside? Under cover? Does the cargo cake when wet? Is it a cohesive cargo or a free-flowing cargo? Brownish-yellow Fibrous woody-material. Particle sizes typically 5-40 mm. Intrinsically low moisture content. Can take up large quantities of free moisture after tropical rain-storms etc. moisture content of 20 or above has been recorded when loaded from open storage. Typically below 1 oil, but individual cargoes may vary. Outside. Generally open to atmosphere. Exporting countries tend to be in tropical zones which are susceptible to intensive periods of heavy precipitation. Cohesive.

4 Annex, page 2 Hazardous properties For this section of the questionnaire, each answer should be supported by test data on multiple samples from different sources. If a question is not applicable, a detailed explanation of why it is not applicable should be made. Does it meet the definition of dangerous goods (Hazard Classes 1-9)? Which hazard classes? Is the cargo easily ignitable, combustible or flammable? Can the cargo contribute to fire or accelerate a fire? Does the cargo self-heat? What causes the self-heating? Fungal or bacterial growth? Oxidation? Does the cargo react with water causing toxic or flammable gases to be released? Which gases? How toxic or flammable are the gases? What is the rate of evolution? May emit flammable gases that can start a cargo fire. Yes. Cargo may provide fuel to fire resulting from ignition of emitted methane gases. Liable to self-heat by either microbiological means and/or any oxidation of the oil component Self-heating occurs when the cargo is loaded in an excessively wet condition. Excessive moisture can result in methane levels of up to 49.9 by volume and carbon dioxide levels of 43.2 by volume, as documented in gas samples drawn from the cargo in five cargo holds of a bulk carrier loaded with PKS. Hold 5 Hold 4 Hold 3 Hold 2 Hold 1 H CO O 2 & Ar CH In addition, toxic gas (carbon monoxide) can reach levels of 990 ppm within 48 hours of closing hatch covers. Is the cargo toxic? Toxic by inhalation? Toxic by skin content or ingestion? How toxic? Acute or chronic toxicity? Does the cargo exhibit any long-term health effects, such as carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic properties? Is the cargo a respiratory sensitizer? Does the cargo contain known pathogens? Does the cargo react with water causing corrosion? Corrosion to eyes, skin or metal? What is the rate of corrosion?, but emits toxic gas (carbon monoxide).

5 Annex, page 3 Is the cargo corrosive without water? Corrosion to eyes, skin or metal? What is the rate of corrosion? Is the cargo hazardous to the environment? Is the dust flammable or explosive? Can the cargo deplete oxygen in cargo spaces and adjacent spaces? By how much? Is the cargo incompatible with other cargoes or chemicals? Which cargoes or chemicals? Can the cargo liquefy during a voyage? What is the Transportable Moisture Limit of the cargo? If the cargo is MHB, indicate on the following notational list the identified cargo related hazards: Yes Yes oxygen levels in all cargo spaces reduced to below 1 by volume within 48 hours of closing the hatch covers in line with the data for a known incident. See below Chemical Hazard tional Reference Yes/ Combustible solids CB Self-heating solids SH Solids that evolve flammable gas WF when wet Solids that evolve toxic gas when WT wet Toxic solids TX Corrosive solids CR Other hazards OH Yes If your answer is "OH", please provide a description: Pending finalization of standardized methods for characterizing off-gassing in solid biofuels (ISO Technical Committee 238, project ISO/AWI "Solid Biofuels Determination of off-gassing and oxygen depletion"), the initial notional reference is limited only to MHB-OH. In due course, consideration may have to be given to replacing this reference with MHB-WF and/or MHB-WT. Operational questions How is the cargo loaded? Conveyor? Clam shell? Does the cargo need to be trimmed? What type of ship will be used? Bulk carrier? OBO? Self-unloading vessel? General cargo ship? Barge? What experience do you have carrying the cargo in bulk by vessel? By road and rail? Multiple loading techniques may be used. Trimming acceptable if required. Bulk Carrier. Sea-borne transport of Palm Kernel Shells is increasing.

6 Annex, page 4 Have there been any incidents when transporting the cargo as a result of the cargo properties or hazards? Are there any recommendations for tank or hold cleaning? Yes at least two where the fermentation-style processes on bulk carriers loaded with wet Palm Kernel Shells resulted in a release of methane levels up to 49.9 by volume (equivalent to 1,000 of the lower explosive limit) in one instance and 18 (equivalent to 360 LEL) in a second example. Load in a clean and dry hold. Emergency response questions In the event of fire, can the cargo be extinguished with water? CO 2? In the event of personal exposure what procedures should be followed? What happens in the event of an accidental release into water during transport? Water or CO 2 may be used but with an attendant risk of methane-accumulation in sealed holds. Standard processes for the risk of oxygen depletion and asphyxiating and toxic gases should be followed. known issues. Testing questions Which hazards have been assessed? Flammability, toxic & asphyxiation. Oxygen depletion. Which tests were conducted? Prescribed test methods in IMSBC Code and are designed for materials undergoing a chemical reaction with water and may not be appropriate for organic materials producing gas by fermentation. See previous comment about the potential development of ISO tests. What were the results of these tests? Incident 1 Methane levels rapidly increased in all holds on closing hatch covers, up to 37.5 by volume after 10 days and eventually reaching 49.9 by volume (equivalent to 1,000 of the LEL). Carbon monoxide increased to 990 ppm within 48 hours. Oxygen depleted to below 1 within 48 hours. Incident 2 Methane levels up to 18 by volume (equivalent to 360 LEL) recorded on arrival at destination, with oxygen depleted to below 1. Authorities required headspaces to be flushed with inert gas to prevent formation of a flammable gas mixture when the cargo holds were opened prior to discharge. What was the actual data from the tests? See analysis results of cargo hazards. How many tests were conducted? What samples were tested? Are the samples representative of the cargo to be shipped? See analysis results of cargo hazards. Pending research to establish a specific moisture limit appropriate to Palm Kernel Shells, a preliminary limit of 11 has been proposed below which there is insufficient available water for microbiological activity (ISO ).

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