Consequences of failure to apply BLU Code
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1357 – Additional Considerations for the Safe Loading of Bulk Carriers – (19 June 2010) - Annex – Additional Considerations for The Safe Loading of Bulk Carriers - Consequences of failure to apply BLU Code

Consequences of failure to apply BLU Code

  15 Exceeding the permissible limits specified in the ship's approved loading manual will lead to over-stressing of the ship's structure and may result in catastrophic failure of the hull structure.

  16 It is important to be aware that over-stressing of local structural members can occur even when the hull girder still water shear forces and bending moments are within their permissible limits. In this regard particular attention should be given to double bottom loading utilizing local loading diagrams in the loading manual.

  17 If time for ensuring the cargo in each hold is trimmed (evenly distributed) is not included in the loading plan there is an increased risk of asymmetric loading. Asymmetric loading in the fore-aft direction can increase the lateral cargo pressure acting on the transverse bulkhead and increase the loads carried by the transverse bulkhead structure and the magnitude of transverse compressive stresses in the cross deck. Transverse asymmetric loading will introduce torsional loads leading to warping of the hull section giving rise to shearing and bending of the cross deck structure.

  18 For more guidance please refer to IACS Recommendation No.46 Guidance and Information on Bulk Cargo Loading and Discharging to Reduce the Likelihood of Over-stressing the Hull Structure.


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