Key data
| Stowage factor | 1.28–1.45 m³/t (typical 1.37)45.2–51.2 ft³/t (typical 48.4) |
|---|---|
| Form | Bulk |
| IMSBC group | C Cargoes that neither liquefy nor carry a chemical hazard. |
| Angle of repose | ~25 |
| BCSN | MAIZE |
ft³/t values are per metric tonne (1 m³/t ≈ 35.31 ft³/t). Stowage factors are indicative — see note below.
Description
Maize, or corn, is one of the largest grain trades, moving for food, animal feed and ethanol production. With a stowage factor near 1.37 m3/t it is a measurement cargo: the holds fill to capacity well before the ship reaches her marks, so intake turns on cubic capacity and a satisfactory grain stability position rather than deadweight.
Stowage & loading
Holds are presented clean, dry and free of infestation and previous cargo residues, and a grain stability assessment with any required fittings controls the free-surface and shifting moment of the free-flowing cargo. Loading is by spout or conveyor; the cargo trims readily, but uneven loading and the dust generated during transfer are watched from the start.
Hazards & handling
Maize respires and depletes oxygen in cargo and adjacent spaces, so enclosed-space precautions apply. Damp or high-moisture corn can self-heat, mould and cake, and the cargo readily takes up taint from contaminated holds. A particular feature of grain handling is that the airborne dust raised during loading and discharge is explosive, so ignition sources are controlled around transfer.
Carriage & discharge
Ventilation is managed against ship and cargo sweat by comparing dew points, and temperatures are watched where moisture is a concern. Many trades fumigate in transit, so residual fumigant is cleared and spaces are gas-freed and certified before entry. Discharge is by grab or suction, with sweepings recovered as cargo where the charter provides.
Key hazards
- Oxygen depletion in cargo and adjacent enclosed spaces, with possible fumigant residues
- Self-heating, mould and caking in damp or high-moisture cargo
- Explosive grain dust raised during loading and discharge
Loading precautions
- Present holds clean, dry and free of infestation, and apply the grain stability assessment
- Control ignition sources around the dust generated during transfer
- Confirm fumigation arrangements and enclosed-space entry controls
Stowage factors are indicative and vary with grade, origin, moisture and packing. Always verify against the shipper's cargo declaration and the applicable IMSBC Code schedule before fixing or loading. This is general information, not professional or safety advice.