HC Deb 05 March 1996 vol 273 cc140-1W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the procedures governing the transportation of pet coke. [17925]

Mr. Norris

I have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 5 March 1996:

The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your question about the procedures governing the transportation of PET Coke.

The procedures governing the transportation of petroleum coke are contained in the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes (the BC Code) adopted by the International Maritime Organisation.

I enclose the relevant extract from this Code for your information.

Appendix B: Petroleum coke1 calcined or uncalcined
MFAG Approximate
BC number IMO class table number stowage factor (m3/t) EmS number
040 MHB 311 1.25 to 1.67 B7
1"For comprehensive information on transport of any material listed refer to sections 1–10 of this Code.
  • Properties
    • Black, finely divided residue from petroleum refining in the form of power and small pieces.
  • Observations
    • The provisions of this appendix should not apply to materials having a temperature below 55"C when loaded.
  • Segregation and stowage requirements
    • "Separated from" foodstuffs.
    • "Separated longitudinally by an intervening complete compartment or hold from" all goods of class 1, divisions 1.1 and 1.5.
    • "Separated by a complete compartment or hold from" all other dangerous and hazardous materials (goods in packaged form and solid bulk materials).
  • Special requirements
    1. 1. Should not be loaded when the temperature exceeds 107"C.
    2. 2. In cargo spaces over tanks containing fuel or material having a flashpoint under 93"C, a layer of 0.6m to 1.0m of the material at a temperature not greater than 44"C should first be loaded into the cargo space. Only then may the material, at 55"C or above, be loaded into that cargo space.
    3. 3. The loading of the material should be as follows:
      1. (1) for shipments in cargo spaces over fuel tanks, the loading of the 0.6m to 1.0m layer at a temperature not greater than 141 44°C (as required in 2) should be completed prior to the loading of the material at 55°C or above in any cargo space of the ship;
      2. (2) upon completion of the loading described in 3.1, a layer of 0.6m to 1.0m of the material at 55°C or above should first be loaded in each cargo space (including those cargo spaces, if any, already containing a layer of the material at a temperature not greater than 44°C in which the material is to be loaded in accordance with this entry;
      3. (3) upon the completion of the loading of the 0.6m to 1.0m layer of the material at 55°C or above in each cargo space (as required in 3.2), the normal loading of the material at 55°C or above may proceed to completion; and
      4. (4) personnel should be warned by the master of the ship that calcined petroleum coke loaded and transported under this entry is hot and that injury due to burns is possible if precautions are not taken.