Will Dead Cargo Kill Fearnley and Eger?

Damage to cargo in transit is an occupational hazard for shipowners and charterers alike, but the problems reached nightmare proportions in the recent case of the Yeoman Brook. In February, the 75,000 dwt self- discharging bulk carrier shipped a cargo of fines – a form of powdered iron ore aggregate – from Dampier in Australia to Port Talbot in the UK. During the course of the voyage, the cargo solidified to such an extent that it was “welded” to the hold by the time the vessel reached its destination, threatening the commercial viability of the ship, which had only recently been delivered from the Daewoo yard in South Korea. The sub-charter to British Steel, from time charterers Foster Yeomans, was fixed to ensure that the vessel did not travel back in ballast to the UK. Despite its size, Foster Yeomans intends to use the vessel in UK coastal waters.

It appears that the damage to the vessel could be much less than originally feared. Indeed, it may come out of the incident unscathed if Foster Yeomans’ determined efforts to rid the holds of the offending material are successful. Foster Yeomans chartering manager Mike Magnus told Marine Money, “The cargo went dead on us. We believe that this was because it lost air during the course of the voyage, and consequently solidified. We are using back-hoes to remove the cargo.” Back hoes are a type of mechanical digger used in civil engineering and road construction.

This is only an excerpt of Will Dead Cargo Kill Fearnley and Eger?

Content is restricted to subscribers. To continue reading please Log-In or view our subscription options.