This is the third edition of Standard Club’s guide to the carriage of steel cargo, first produced in 2009. This new version includes additional advice on the principles of stowage, weight distribution and California Block Stowage. The guide sets out to promote best practice and raise awareness of the risks of shipping steel cargo. It is written as a reference guide for the master, cargo officers and shore operations staff.
Steel is a high-value cargo, a cargo easily damaged by rough handling, water and moisture.
When carrying steel products by sea, it is essential to ensure that neither the steel nor the ship suffers damage. Its weight presents substantial challenges with stowage and securing. The ship must be fit to receive the cargo and the cargo must be safely stowed and secured. Incorrect stowage can lead to hull and cargo damage.
Cargo damage can occur for a number of different reasons in transit or before loading. Standard Club arranges preloading surveys to check the condition of finished steel before loading to ensure that bills of lading are correctly endorsed with full details of any such damage.
The guide to the carriage of Steel Cargo therefore focuses on correctly loading, stowing, caring for and securing steel cargoes. Its advice, if followed, will assist in the avoidance and prevention of steel cargo damage claims.
This guide was written in collaboration with Lloyd’s Register, one of the world’s leading providers of professional services for engineering and technology.