Following the sinking of the bulk carrier,"Bulk Jupiter" on January 2015, safe carriage of bauxite is one of the growing international concern.

The bulk carrier, "Bulk Jupiter"laden with 46,000MT bauxite sunk on 2 January 2015 resulting in loss of her 18crew while proceeding from the loading port, Kuantan, Malaysia to the Chinese discharging port. Recently the IMO Sub-Committee on the Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) considered submissions from the lost bulk carrier's flatstate, the Bahamas relating to the carriage of bauxite including some initial considerations of the circumstances surrounding the loss of Bulk Jupiter. The Bahamas advised that although the cargo had been declared as a Group C cargo under the IMSBC Code, the loss of the vessel may have been caused by liquefaction of the cargo. Also pending ongoing research in to the cargo material properties following which the IMO would consider to amend the IMSBCCode the master is recommended to observe the following guidance.

The master should not accept this cargo for loading unless:

1. the moisture content of the cargo indicated in the certificate is less than the indicative moisture limit of 10% and the particle size distribution as is detailed in the individual schedule for BAUXITE in the IMSBC Code; or
2. the cargo is declared as Group A and the shipper declares the TML and moisture content in accordance with paragraph 4.3.1 of the IMSBC Code; or
3. the competent authority has assessed the cargo and determines that the particular cargo does not present Group A properties. Such assessments shall be provided by the shipper to the master as required by paragraph 1.2.1 of the IMSBC Code

For more detail please find the attached IMO Circular CCC.1/Circ.2 dated 20 October 2015.

The Members who engage and/or plan to engage in a carriage of the bauxite should take precaution for safe carriage of this cargo.