A national workshop on carriage of bulk cargoes, with a special focus on cargoes that may liquefy, has been held in Jakarta, Indonesia (6-9 November). The workshop brought together the many different stakeholders involved in the chain of transport of solid bulk cargoes, such as nickel ore, iron ore and bauxite. The aim was to develop a series of safety-focused conclusions and recommendations to assist the Indonesian maritime authority and shipping community to implement the relevant provisions of the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code, particularly for cargoes that may liquefy. The recommendations are intended to be used to promote the enforcement of good industry practices. 

During the workshop, technical experts from Indonesia shared their experience with shipments of solid bulk cargoes from local ports, including processes and procedures in place relating to cargo handling and loading; the measurement and testing of cargo moisture levels of class A cargoes (i.e. cargoes that may liquefy), as well as implementation and enforcement of good industry practice. 

The workshop was organized by IMO’s Technical Cooperation programme, in cooperation with the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST) of Indonesia. Participants included government officials of the Ministry of Transport and representatives from the port authority, ports terminals, mines operators, shippers, related technicians (such as laboratories) and shipping companies.