RDIMS-#18367619-v3-PSC INSPECTIONS ON BULK CARRIERS

UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFIÉ
Tokyo MoU 9 th
Specialized
Training Course (STC) on
Bulk Carrier Safety
PSC Inspection on Bulk Carriers

March 8th, 2023
Presentation Objectives
• At the end of this presentation, participants will have a

better understanding of PSC inspection procedures on
Bulk Carriers regarding documents, cargo operation,
structural condition, water and weather tight condition,
and common defects on bulk carrier structure.
2
Inspections: Bulk Carrier

Relevant Instruments and Reference Materials
➢ Chapter XII, SOLAS - Additional Safety Measures for Bulk Carriers,
➢ IMO Res.A862(20) - Code of Safe Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of
Bulk Carriers,
➢ IMO Res.A866(20) - Guidance to Ship’s Crews and Terminal Personnel for Bulk
Carrier Inspections,
➢ IMO Res.A744(18) as amended – Guidelines on the Enhanced Programme of

Inspections During Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers,
➢ Tokyo MOU Instruction Section 3.3-3 :

➢ Guidance for Checking the Structure of Bulk Carriers.
3
What is a Bulk Carrier?

SOLAS has two definitions of bulk carriers:
• Ch. XII Reg. 1.1:

…ship which is intended primarily to carry dry cargo in bulk,
including such types as ore carriers and combination carriers.
• Ch. IX Reg. 1.6:

…ship which is constructed generally with single deck, top side
tanks and hopper side tanks in cargo spaces, and is intended
primarily to carry dry cargo in bulk, and includes such types as
ore carriers and combination carriers.
4
Type of Inspections
Initial Inspection:
• Check compliance with the relevant conventions and

regulations
• Check of certificates and documents
• Check of the overall condition of the vessel
• Verify closing of outstanding deficiencies from previous
inspections
5
Type of Inspections
Clear Grounds:
• The absence of valid certificates or documents is considered a

clear ground
• Evidence from the PSCO's general impressions and
observations that: serious hull, structural deterioration, or
deficiencies exist that may risk the structural watertight or
weathertight integrity of the ship
6
Type of Inspections
More Detailed Inspection:
Include in-depth examination in:

• Area(s) where clear grounds are established
• Other area(s) at random
• Check compliance with onboard operational requirements by
carrying out operational controls
• Take account of human element
7
Specific areas - Documents
Documents specific to Bulk Carriers:
• Bulk Carrier Booklet

• Document of Authorization for the Carriage of Grain
• Grain Loading Stability Booklet
• Exemption Certificate & any list of cargoes
• Loading and Unloading Plan for Bulk Carriers and
• Enhance Survey Report Files
8

Each bulk carrier shall have on board, according to IMO Res. A.1049(27) and
2011 ESP Code (ESP 2019 Amendment (101st) :
• A Survey Report File consisting of:
• Reports of structural surveys
• Condition Evaluation Report
• Thickness measurement reports
• Supporting documents:
• Survey Programme
• Main structural plans of cargo holds and ballast tanks
• Previous repair history
• Cargo and ballast history
• Inspections by ship’s personnel
• Any other info helping to identify critical structural or suspect areas requiring
inspection
9
10
Specific Areas - Documents

Thickness measurement report
11
Loading Manuals:
• Booklet written in a language familiar to the ships

officer responsible for cargo operations as per
SOLAS VI/7 & Res A.862(20) for ships carrying
bulk cargoes other than grain.
• Document of Authorization for the carriage of

grain issued either by the Flag Administration or
by RO, accompanying or incorporated into the
approved grain loading manual as per SOLAS
VI/9 for carrying grain.
10

Check whether the cargo is allowed to be carried on that ship
13

Approval for loading instruments (Solas Ch. XII Reg. 11)
14

Loading/unloading sequences (SOLAS Ch. VI Reg. 7.3)
15

Ship structure access manual, for bulk carriers > 20.000 GT built on or after
01.01.2006 (SOLAS Chapter II-1 Reg. 3-6.4)
16

Loading and intact stability information booklet (Solas Chapter II-1 Reg. 5-1)
17

Damage stability information booklet (Solas Chapter II-1 Reg. 5-1)
18
Specific Areas- Cargo Operation
PSCO should ensure that:
➢ Loading Manual and Loading Instruments (> 150m) are

approved by, or on behalf of, the flag State
➢ Loading plan, cargo distribution, and loading or
unloading sequences are as per approved manual
➢ Quantity of cargo in each hold is within tank top limitation
➢ Bending moments and shearing forces are within the
permissible
19
Specific Areas- Cargo Operation
Master/Officers familiar with:
➢ The type of cargo

➢ Particularities of the cargo
➢ The information received from the terminal
➢ Moisture Content/Transportation Moisture Limit and
➢ Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes
20
Specific Areas – Structural condition

Considerations with regard to:
• Impression of hull maintenance and general state on deck
• Weathertight integrity
• Condition of coating or corrosion prevention system, if any
• Suspect areas and areas of substantial corrosion
• Extent of repairs
• Structural deterioration in general
• Leakages in bulkheads and piping
• Any conditions of class
• Period of time between type of surveys (either dry-dock or
special one)
21
Specific Areas – Structural Condition
Areas to be looked at:
• External hull:
1. Hull condition (hull structure, rudder & propeller)
2. Hull marking (load line, draft, name, port, IMO No)
3. Accommodation ladder and side netting
4. Pilot transfer arrangement
22
Bulk Carrier LL Marks
23
Cargo holds:
a). Safe means of access
b). Tank tops, side shell and bulkheads
c). Frames, brackets, stringer, etc.
d). Bilge wells and system
e). Water ingress system / fire suppression system,
f). Hold lighting system
g). Areas of high streess
24
Cargo holds
25
Cargo holds
26
Cargo holds
27
Cargo Hold
& Access
Hatches
28
Safe means of
access
29

Frames, brackets, stringer, etc
30

Areas of HIGH Stress:
✓(A) Immediately forward of the engine room

bulkhead (+ heat from ER=> corrosion);
✓(B) Over the midships half-length; and
✓(C) No.1 hold side shell framing and top
and bottom connections (panting region)
A B C
31
PSCO should check:

a) the impression of hull maintenance and general state on deck,
b) the condition of items such as ladders, hatches, air
pipes, guard rails, bulkhead and tank top penetrations
c) visible evidence of previous repairs, and the condition of
deck machinery
d) Particular attention should be given to areas where
fracturing, cracks, distortion or excessive wastage can
occur
e) Special attention should be given to critical structural areas of high
stress and bending moments
32
Specific Areas – Water/Weathertight Condition
a). Hatch covers, coamings and closing devices,

b). Weathertight doors and frame,
c). Accommodation & external stairways
d). Ballast & FO tanks vents (flame screens, balls)
e). Sounding pipes & caps
33
f). E/R skylight & access hatches

g). Funnel flap operation
h). Ventilation fans & dampers (E/R, C/H, vehicle deck,
accommodation, battery room, emergency gen, etc.)
i). Electrical wiring (watertightness, etc.)
j). Crew protection (guardrails, bulwarks, catwalks, etc.)
h). Water ingress alarm in cargo holds
34
Hatch cover
Hatch Covers, Coamings and
Closing Devices
Rubber & Compression bar
Hatch coaming
Steel pontoons
Securing cleats
35
➢ Main deck structure - examination of hatchcovers, coamings and

closing devices
36
Hatch Covers,
Coamings And
Closing Devices
37
Specific Areas –
Water/Weathertight Condition
Hatch Covers, Coamings and Closing Devices
38
PSCO should check:

a). Panel hatch covers should be secured by appropriate devices
(bolts, wedges or similar) suitably spaced alongside the coamings
and between cover elements
b). Where rod cleats are fitted, resilient washers or cushions should
be incorporated
c). Where hydraulic cleating is adopted, a positive means should be
provided to ensure that it remains mechanically locked in the
closed position in the event of failure of the hydraulic system
39
40
Ballast & FO
tanks vents
41
Ballast &
FO tanks
vents
42

Water ingress alarm in cargo holds (Solas Ch. XII Reg. 12)
43
PSCO should check:

a). All watertight decks and bulkheads are inspected
periodically to verify that there are no unprotected openings
or improper penetrations that will allow progressive flooding
and that closure devices (e.g. watertight doors, duct
closures, etc.) are in place and operational
b). All crewmembers are familiar with the locations of the
watertight doors and weather tight closures
throughout their vessels as per the vessel SMS.
44
Specific Areas – Ballast Tanks

Examination of Ballast Tank – Scope:
• Tank examination is not a survey

• Verification from manhole is most often sufficient to check:
Structural condition, Internal and plates, Welds, Ladders, air
pipes and sounding pipes, Condition of coating and anodes if
fitted
• Only if there are clear grounds requiring a MD inspection of the
tank the PSCO should make an internal examination (check
the ESP records)
45
• PSCO should look for: cracks, buckling, indents, deformations

and corrosion on all visible surfaces, etc
• Permanent seawater ballast tanks represent one of the most
likely problem areas and, if inspected, the following aspects
should be considered: the paint condition in coated ballast tanks
and condition of anodes
• If tanks or holds are to be inspected, the PSCO must ensure it
is safe to enter. The requirements of the Code of Safe Practice
for Solid Bulk Cargoes, Appendix F, apply
46

➢ Examination of ballast tank - Examples
47
➢ Examination of ballast tank – Examples
48

➢Examination of ballast tank – Examples
Rotten deck beams

throughout FP tank
Ballast
Tanks
(Forepeak)
Rotten wash plate, side girder,

web frame
49
➢Examination Web Frame corroded Bracket in Forepeak

of ballast tank through. Tank corroded.
–Examples
Severe corrosion of deck

“Home made” repairs. longitudinal. 50
Examination of ballast tank

• Coating condition
• Assessment scale for
breakdown
51
Common Defects on Bulk carrier Structure
Common defects are:
a) Cracking at hatch corners

b) Plate panel buckling of cross deck strips and stiffening
structure
c) Cracking of hatch coamings
d) Cracking at intersection of the inner bottom plating and the
hopper plating
e) Grab and bulldozer damage to the main frame's lower
brackets
52
Common Defects on Bulk carrier Structure
f) Grab damage to the inner bottom plating, hopper and lower

stool plating
g) Cracking at main frame bracket toes
h) Both general and localized corrosion of main frames and
brackets
i) Cracking at fore and aft extremities of topside tank structures
j) Corrosion within topside tanks
k) General corrosion and cracking of transverse bulkheads
53
What to look for in the Cargo Holds
54
What to look for on Deck

➢ Main deck structure:
55
What to look for on Deck
➢ Main deck structure - cargo holds and hatchcovers
56
What to look for on the side
Damaged ship’s hull
57
What to look for on the side
Cracked ship’s hull
58
Thank you !
Rubayet Manir
Senior Marine Inspector (PSC)/Expert maritime sénior (CNEP)
Port State inspection Standards/Cargoes and Ship Port Interface/Normes
d’inspections par l'Etat du port/Cargaisons et interface navire-port
Navigation safety and Environmental Programs / Sécurité de la navigation et
programmes environnementaux
Marine Safety and Security / Sécurité et Sûreté maritimes
59

RDIMS-#18367619-v3-PSC INSPECTIONS ON BULK CARRIERS

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UNCLASSIFIED / NON CLASSIFIÉ

PSC Inspection on Bulk Carriers

• At the end of this presentation, participants will have a

Inspections: Bulk Carrier

➢ IMO Res.A744(18) as amended – Guidelines on the Enhanced Programme of

➢ Tokyo MOU Instruction Section 3.3-3 :

What is a Bulk Carrier?

• Ch. XII Reg. 1.1:

• Ch. IX Reg. 1.6:

• Check compliance with the relevant conventions and

• The absence of valid certificates or documents is considered a

More Detailed Inspection:

Include in-depth examination in:

Specific areas - Documents

Documents specific to Bulk Carriers:

• Bulk Carrier Booklet

Specific areas - Documents

Specific areas - Documents

Specific Areas - Documents

Specific Areas - Documents

• Booklet written in a language familiar to the ships

• Document of Authorization for the carriage of

Specific Areas - Documents

Specific Areas - Documents

Specific Areas - Documents

Specific Areas - Documents

Specific Areas - Documents

Specific Areas - Documents

Specific Areas- Cargo Operation

PSCO should ensure that:

➢ Loading Manual and Loading Instruments (> 150m) are

Specific Areas- Cargo Operation

Master/Officers familiar with:

➢ The type of cargo

Specific Areas – Structural condition

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

Areas to be looked at:

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

Bulk Carrier LL Marks

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

Areas to be looked at:

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

✓(A) Immediately forward of the engine room

Specific Areas – Structural Condition

PSCO should check:

Specific Areas – Water/Weathertight Condition

Areas to be looked at:

a). Hatch covers, coamings and closing devices,

Specific Areas – Water/Weathertight Condition

f). E/R skylight & access hatches

Specific Areas – Water/Weathertight Condition

Specific Areas – Water/Weathertight Condition

➢ Main deck structure - examination of hatchcovers, coamings and

Specific Areas – Water/Weathertight Condition

Specific Areas – Water/Weathertight Condition

PSCO should check:

Specific Areas – Water/Weathertight Condition