Key data
| Stowage factor | 1.50–2.30 m³/t (typical 1.85)53.0–81.2 ft³/t (typical 65.3) |
|---|---|
| Form | Baled |
| IMSBC group | B Cargoes that carry a chemical hazard in carriage. |
| BCSN | COTTON |
| Broken stowage | 10% |
ft³/t values are per metric tonne (1 m³/t ≈ 35.31 ft³/t). Stowage factors are indicative — see note below.
Description
Raw cotton is shipped in compressed bales for textile manufacture. At around 1.85 m3/t it is a light, bulky measurement cargo. Its carriage is dominated by fire risk: cotton ignites readily, smoulders persistently, and can self-heat, particularly where bales are damp or contaminated with oil.
Stowage & loading
Bales are stowed in clean, dry holds free of oil and contaminants, blocked into a stable stow, with damaged, damp or stained bales set aside. Ignition sources are excluded and smoking prohibited, and the cargo is kept dry, as wet or oily cotton is far more prone to heating and fire.
Hazards & handling
Cotton is a recognised fire cargo: it ignites easily, smoulders deep within bales where fire is hard to detect and extinguish, and oil-contaminated or damp bales can self-heat to ignition. Strict control of ignition sources, cleanliness and dryness are the heart of its safe carriage.
Carriage & discharge
Holds are kept dry and free of ignition sources, the stow watched for any sign of heating or smouldering, and smoking and hot work strictly controlled near the cargo. Discharge is by sling; damaged, wet or charred bales are segregated and noted, and the holds cleaned on completion.
Key hazards
- Ready ignition and persistent, hard-to-detect smouldering
- Self-heating of damp or oil-contaminated bales
- Fire spreading deep within the stow
Loading precautions
- Stow in clean, dry holds free of oil and exclude ignition sources
- Set aside damp, stained or damaged bales
- Keep the cargo dry and watch the stow for heating
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.