Moisture Management Plans for Group A cargoes: Two steps to ensure compliant shipping
The IMSBC Code requires the shipper to establish documented, systematic procedures in the form of a Moisture Management Plan (MMP) to ensure that Group A solid bulk cargoes are sampled, tested, managed and loaded at a moisture content strictly below their TML.
There are two distinct steps required to ensure compliance, on two different timelines.
Moisture Management Plan for Group A cargoes
The IMSBC Code is a key international rule for shipping solid bulk cargoes. It focuses on the risk of liquefaction in certain cargoes, known as Group A, which can happen if their moisture content is too high. Shippers must have a Moisture Management Plan to prove their cargo is safe, and this plan needs approval from the port's Competent Authority. Recent amendments to the Code, including for coal and ilmenite sand, highlight the ongoing importance of this compliance.