A vessel built by Naikai Zosen for Nissho Shipping will become the first NK-classed ship to incorporate special construction for carriage of liquefiable cargoes.
The new vessel, being built at Japanese shipyard Naikai Zosen Corporation for Nissho Shipping Co., Ltd., has become the first to receive approval from the Panama Maritime Authority in accordance with part 7.3.2.2 of the IMSBC code governing carriage of cargoes which may liquefy. The approval certifies that the vessel makes use of special construction features to ensure that it can safely load cargoes that may liquefy, including volatile cargoes like nickel ore, even if such cargoes exceed their transportable moisture limit.
The certification, which was obtained with technical assistance from ClassNK, was issued for a new 27,200dwt open-hatch bulk carrier being built by Naikai Zosen for delivery to Nissho Shipping in the fall of 2012. The vessel has been specifically designed to transport nickel-ore cargoes, and utilizes a special construction which allows nickel ore cargoes to be carried safely even if they liquefy in transit. This means that the vessel will be able to transport such cargoes even if unexpected rain or waves increase the moisture level past the limits laid out by the IMSBC code.
With this certification, ClassNK continues to show its leadership with regards to nickel ore cargoes, which have become an increasingly important concern following several casualties attributed to the dangerous cargo last year.