Key data
| Stowage factor | 0.85–1.05 m³/t (typical 0.95)30.0–37.1 ft³/t (typical 33.5) |
|---|---|
| Form | Bulk |
| IMSBC group | C Cargoes that neither liquefy nor carry a chemical hazard. |
| Angle of repose | ~35 |
ft³/t values are per metric tonne (1 m³/t ≈ 35.31 ft³/t). Stowage factors are indicative — see note below.
Description
Salt is shipped in large volumes for food, chemical and de-icing use. As a dense, inert mineral it is a Group C cargo at around 0.95 m3/t, sitting on the deadweight side of the line. It is straightforward to carry, with the practical issues being moisture-driven caking and the chloride attack on the ship's steel rather than any safety-of-ship hazard.
Stowage & loading
Holds are presented clean and dry, and the free-flowing material is loaded by grab or conveyor and trimmed level. Because salt and its residues corrode steel when damp, attention is paid to protecting the structure and keeping moisture out, and loading is managed to avoid wetting in rain wherever practicable.
Hazards & handling
Salt is strongly hygroscopic and cakes into a hard mass if it takes up moisture, complicating discharge, and its chloride content is aggressive to steel, particularly when damp, so prolonged contact and unwashed residues attack the structure and coatings. It is otherwise inert and low-hazard, with dust a housekeeping matter.
Carriage & discharge
Ventilation is managed to keep humid air out, and holds are monitored for water ingress. Discharge is by grab, with caked material broken out as needed. A thorough wash-down on completion is important, because chloride residue left in place continues to corrode the steel long after the cargo is gone.
Key hazards
- Chloride corrosion of steel structure and coatings, especially when damp
- Hygroscopic caking into a hard mass on exposure to moisture
- Dust during handling
Loading precautions
- Load into clean, dry holds and protect the structure from prolonged contact
- Exclude moisture during loading and the voyage to limit caking and corrosion
- Plan a thorough wash-down on completion to remove corrosive residue
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.