The International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) has backed calls from the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (Intercargo) for action to tackle the dangers posed by the liquefaction of cargo.
The association, which represents the world's bulk carriers, has called for an urgent review of the testing and safety practices in respect of the handling of cargo following the loss of the 'Vinalines Queen' on 25 December, with 22 crew members reported missing and considered lost. The cause of the loss is believed to have been the liquefaction of the vessel's cargo of nickel ore. IUMI general secretary Fritz Stabinger says the issue is one that has been of real concern to the world's hull and cargo insurers for some time.
Stabinger said IUMI had and would continue to work with the IMO and other maritime industry bodies to seek not only to highlight the dangers involved but also to implement more robust risk management and safety procedures for the handling of such cargoes. While backing the Intertanko statement, which cautioned shipowners to ensure they did not accept unsafe cargoes on their vessels, Stabinger said IUMI's members remained concerned about the ability of crews to safely manage cargoes once on board.
"Our Loss Prevention Committee has done a great deal of work on the serious threat posed by liquefaction of cargos and one of IUMI's core concerns remains the lack of adequate and well-founded knowledge of ship's officers and crews," said Stabinger. "What is clear to the underwriting community is the need for vessels to be operated by officers and crews which are both adequately trained and qualified to handle such dangerous cargoes.
"If shipowners took steps to ensure that their crews were adequately trained to properly handle cargoes which posed a danger of liquefication we would see a reduction to the tragic loss of life we have seen in recent years.
"Sadly there is still pressure exercised on crews by both shippers and charterers with tragic results for the crews and their families. As hull and cargo underwriters our members have to bear the financial costs of such losses but this is a problem which requires an industry-wide effort to solve."