SULTRANS DIRECTIVES: 
====================

NOTICE TO VESSEL LOADING OF BULK FORMED SULPHUR

1: INTRODUCTION:

This notice is delivered to provide "information" and to assist the Master
and the Vessel Owner
in the safe delivery of uncontaminated cargo. It is issued to protect the
interest of the sulphur
supplier and Charterer, acting on behalf of the supplier and is not to be
regarded as a
code or as a limitation of The vessels' responsibility for taking
preventative measures for the
protection of the cargo and the vessel.

2: VESSEL INSPECTION:

As a service to the sulphur supplier and/or customers, marine surveyors have
been appointed to inspect vessels arriving to load sulphur.  Upon completion
of the inspection an inspection certificate will be issued and will be made
available to the Master and to the vessel agent either approving the vessel
for loading or rejecting it, and entailing the reasons for rejection.
Neither approval of the surveyors nor actual loading of the vessel shall
relieve the ship owners of the obligation for ensuring that the vessel is
fit, and remains fit, for the carriage of sulphur, nor from the further
responsibility for taking appropriate steps to protect the vessel from any
effects of interaction with the sulphur cargo.

3: CLEANLINESS AND CARGO PURITY:

Sulphur is generally described as "formed sulphur".  The sulphur suppliers
warrant strict purity specifications to their customers and so are concerned
at the risk of contamination.  This product is easily contaminated by loose
rust/scale and residues of previous cargoes.  To facilitate the issuance of
an inspection certificate, vessel owners should be aware of the following :

All receiving holds are to be in a "grain clean" condition.
All residues of previous cargoes are to be completely removed.  This
includes residue from the underside of hatch covers.
All loose rust and scale are to be removed from all metal surfaces in the
holdss, including the underside of the hatch covers.
All receiving holds are to be washed down with fresh water.

4: POSSIBLE HAZARDS:

CORROSION

Sulphur, water and steel in the holds of vessel that have not been properly
prepared for the receipt and carriage of a sulphur cargo may form a
corrosive system which can lead to contamination of the cargo and damage to
the vessel.  Sulphur is normally stored in uncovered stockpiles exposed to
all weather conditions, resulting in a moisture content.  it is also
sometime sprayed with fresh water prior to loading, if required and is
loaded wet, If a corrosion product occurs, it can contaminate the cargo.
Such corrosion can be increased by higher temperatures and prolonged
residence of the cargo in the hold due to unscheduled delays in carriage or
in discharge.

Preventing Corrosion:

The Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes as amended April, 1988 and
adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of IMO (London) ("the Code")
states, in part..."9.3.1.10 Materials which present corrosive hazards of
such intensity as to affect either human tissue or the ship's structure
should be only be loaded after adequate precautions and protecting measures
have been taken."

Vessel owners should, therefore, be aware of the following... The reaction
between sulphur, water and steel can be substantially reduced by a physical
barrier between the cargo and the vessel.  Paint and limewash have been used
for this urpose in the past.  200 liters of fresh water should be applied to
all surfaces which may come into contact with sulphur.  If limewashing is
specified by the Owners or Charterers of the vessel, the holds should be
prepared as described in paragraph 3 prior to the limewash.

Studies have been shown that the reaction between steel and sulphur can
continue if sulphur residues remain in the hold after discharge.

The Code referred to above further states... 9.31.1.12 After discharge of
materials, a close inspections should be made for any residue, which should
then be removed before the ship is presented for other cargo: such an
inspection is particularly important when materials having corrosive
properties have been transported"

II) Chlorides:

The presence of chloride salts such as sodium and potassium chlorides can
hasten the interaction between moist elemental sulphur and ship's steel.
Sodium chloride, for example, is a major constituent of saltcake and of
materials dissolved in sea water, and potassium chloride (potash) is
regularly handled by bulk terminals.  The faster effect can be more
important if the ship's holds have not been properly prepared to receive
sulphur.  As a normal precaution of preventative maintenance, it is strongly
recommended that all cargo compartments be thoroughly washed down with fresh
water, prior to final preparation for receiving sulphur.  Additionally,
ingress of sea water during carriage must be avoided.

ii) Moisture Levels 

Increased moisture content enhances the corrosive interaction between
sulphur and steel.  Sulphur is loaded wet.  During carriage, however,
drainage of some of this moisture may occur.  In order to minimize moisture
content at tank top levels, bilge pumping efficiency should assured.

GAS EMISSIONS


There are circumstances during cargo carriage and after discharge in which
bulk sulphur can emit small but measurable quantities of hydrogen sulphide
gas.  All areas in which sulphur is stored or used, or which require the
presence of personnel, should be thoroughly ventilated.

Sulphur Dioxide

Masters should also be aware of possible gencration of sulphur dioxide due
to burning when repairs involving heating are effected in compartments
previously exposed to sulphur.  Appropriate safety precautions should be
taken

FLAMMABILTIY

A research report on the properties of formed sulphur was produced in 1989
by Alberta Sulphur Research Limited, a scientific research agency.  The
report focused on whether Formed Sulphur was a flammable solid within the
meaning of the regulations issued by IMO's International Maritime Dangerous
Goods Code, Class 4.12 - Flammable solids, UN No.1350 definition.

The results of tests included in the report led to the following declaration
"Based upon the results of the test, as submitted, it is agreed that formed
sulphur does not meet the criteria for classification in class 4.1" 

6: MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

To provide further information regarding the properties and characteristics
of the sulphur cargo a copy of a Material Safety Data Sheet and related
technical information is available on request.

7. RESPONSIBLITLITES

The suppliers and Charterers hereby notify the Masters of carrying vessels
of the above properties.  They do not undertake any responsibility for
defining, devising, or advising upon the measures necessary to protect the
vessel or the cargo.  It is the responsibility of the Vessel Owners and the
Maters to acquaint themselves with the characteristics of sulphur, the
hazards which these might present to their vessel, and the appropriate
methods of carriage as recommended by national and international
authorities.