Key data
| Stowage factor | 0.55–0.70 m³/t (typical 0.62)19.4–24.7 ft³/t (typical 21.9) |
|---|---|
| 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
Aggregate is crushed rock or gravel shipped in bulk for concrete, roads and construction. At around 0.62 m3/t it is a dense, deadweight cargo. Inert and stable, its carriage is simply about handling a heavy, abrasive mineral and protecting the ship from concentrated weight and dust.
Stowage & loading
Holds are presented clean, and the aggregate is loaded by grab or conveyor and trimmed level, with the dense load spread to protect the tank top. Care is taken with dropped loads onto the structure, and dust is controlled where the material carries fines.
Hazards & handling
The concerns are physical: concentrated weight that must be distributed, abrasion of holds and equipment by the hard stone, and dust from any fines. Dropped grabs of heavy aggregate can damage the structure. The cargo is otherwise inert, stable and low-hazard.
Carriage & discharge
The stable cargo needs only sound stowage and weight distribution. Discharge is by grab; the structure is protected from heavy dropped loads, dust is controlled, and the abrasive residue is cleaned from holds and equipment on completion.
Key hazards
- Concentrated weight requiring distribution
- Abrasion of holds and equipment by hard stone
- Dust and dropped-load structural damage
Loading precautions
- Spread the dense load over the tank top
- Avoid heavy dropped loads onto the structure
- Control dust and protect equipment from abrasion
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.