Key data
| Stowage factor | 1.40–1.75 m³/t (typical 1.55)49.4–61.8 ft³/t (typical 54.7) |
|---|---|
| Form | Bulk |
| IMSBC group | C Cargoes that neither liquefy nor carry a chemical hazard. |
| Angle of repose | ~30 |
| BCSN | TAPIOCA |
ft³/t values are per metric tonne (1 m³/t ≈ 35.31 ft³/t). Stowage factors are indicative — see note below.
Description
Tapioca is dried cassava root, shipped as chips or pellets mainly as animal feed and a starch source. The light, bulky cargo has a stowage factor around 1.55 m3/t, making it a measurement cargo. Its handling concerns centre on its starchy dust and its sensitivity to moisture.
Stowage & loading
Holds are presented clean and dry, and the chips or pellets are loaded by conveyor or grab and trimmed level. The cargo is notably dusty, so dust control is in place from the start, and moisture is kept out because damp tapioca moulds and can heat.
Hazards & handling
The fine starch dust raised in handling is explosive, so ignition sources are controlled around transfer. Damp cargo moulds, cakes and can self-heat, and it respires and can deplete oxygen in enclosed spaces. It also taints and attracts vermin, so clean holds and segregation matter.
Carriage & discharge
Ventilation is managed against sweat on a dew-point basis and the cargo is kept dry, with temperatures watched where moisture is a concern. Discharge is by grab or unloader, after which the pervasive starchy dust is cleaned thoroughly to protect later cargoes.
Key hazards
- Explosive starch dust raised during handling
- Mould, caking and self-heating in damp cargo
- Oxygen depletion in enclosed spaces, taint and vermin attraction
Loading precautions
- Present clean, dry holds and apply dust-control measures
- Keep the cargo dry and control ignition sources around transfer dust
- Treat enclosed spaces with caution and segregate from sensitive cargoes
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.