As part of its recently launched casebook containing safety lessons learned from maritime incidents, the Swedish Club describes a case of multiple explosions onboard a bulk carrier, caused by cargo fumigation.
Incident
A bulk carrier had loaded yellow corn in all cargo holds up to the hatch coamings. After the loading was complete, fumigation technicians came onboard and fumigated the cargo with fumitoxin pellets. As per the cargo documentation, the fumigation pellets were required to be applied subsurface.
In this instance, the technicians poured the pellets from flasks while walking on the hatch coamings or hatch covers. This work took a little more than an hour and, afterwards, all the cargo hatches were closed and the vessel sailed.
A couple of hours later, an explosion occurred in one of the holds. The crew noted that the hatch covers had moved slightly and blue-grey smoke was seen coming from under the edges.
About an hour later, another explosion occurred in a second hold, and a couple of minutes later an explosion occurred a third. There were explosions in the remaining holds shortly afterwards.
Investigation
During the investigation, it was found that
- Fumitoxin pellets and similar fumigants are made up of around 55% aluminium phosphide which reacts with water to produce phosphine, an extremely toxic and effective fumigant.
- Phosphine gas will form an explosive mixture when mixed with air at a concentration exceeding around 1.8% to 2% by volume (the lower flammable limit).
- The concentration of phosphine in the air in each of the holds exceeded this lower flammable limit. The fumigant pellets in each hold had not been distributed across the entire cargo surface, or applied to the subsurface, but had been applied by simply pouring the pellets on top of the cargo.
- This method of application had permitted the accumulation of the pellets in limited areas and promoted a relatively rapid reaction of the pellets with moisture, generating concentrations of phosphine gas above the lower flammable limit, which lead to the explosions.
Lesson learnt
- The manager should provide training to the crew to ensure that the crew is aware of the requirements and procedures for the fumigation operation.
- The crew need to ensure that the fumigation pellets are distributed as per the cargo documents.
- Agricultural products in bulk may be fumigated in ships’ holds to prevent insect infestation. Solid aluminium phosphide (or similar) is often used for fumigation. Aluminium phosphide reacts with water vapour (humidity) in the air to produce phosphine, a toxic and flammable gas, which kills insects.
- If there is an excessive amount of fumigant in one place, or if the fumigant is in contact with liquid water e.g. from sweating or condensation, then the fumigant can react too quickly. This can evolve excessive heat and lead to ignition of cargo and/or packaging such as bags or paper placed over the top of the cargo.
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Source: Safety4sea
I am a bit surprised at the listed”Lessons Learnt” viz. Crew Training requirement. The entire process of loading (except loading sequence and trimming vessels) and fumigation is to be carried out by qualified and trained shore staff who made big time mistakes. Typically the bulk carrier crew stays away from actual fumigation process as it is being carried out and they only get involved in closing and sealing of the hatch covers.
The responsibility of ensuring that the fumigation is correctly carried out must be with the shippers especially the appointed Cargo Surveyor.