Key data
| Stowage factor | 1.30–1.45 m³/t (typical 1.38)45.9–51.2 ft³/t (typical 48.7) |
|---|---|
| Form | Bulk |
| IMSBC group | C Cargoes that neither liquefy nor carry a chemical hazard. |
| Angle of repose | ~25 |
| BCSN | BARLEY |
ft³/t values are per metric tonne (1 m³/t ≈ 35.31 ft³/t). Stowage factors are indicative — see note below.
Description
Barley is a major grain trade for animal feed, malting and food, behaving as a clean, free-flowing cargo much like wheat. With a stowage factor near 1.38 m3/t it is a measurement cargo, filling the holds before the ship reaches her marks, so intake is set by cubic capacity and the grain stability position rather than deadweight.
Stowage & loading
Holds are presented clean, dry and free of infestation, with grain fittings or a stability calculation controlling the free surface of the free-flowing cargo. Loading is by spout or conveyor and the cargo trims readily, though uneven loading and the dust raised during transfer are watched from the outset.
Hazards & handling
Barley respires and depletes oxygen in cargo and adjacent spaces, so enclosed-space precautions apply, and damp grain can self-heat, mould and cake. It takes up taint from contaminated holds, and the airborne dust generated during loading and discharge is explosive, so ignition sources are controlled around transfer points.
Carriage & discharge
Ventilation is managed against ship and cargo sweat on a dew-point basis, and temperatures are monitored where moisture is a concern. Fumigation in transit is common, so residues are cleared and spaces gas-freed before entry. Discharge is by grab or suction, with sweepings recovered as cargo where the charter provides.
Key hazards
- Oxygen depletion and possible fumigant residues in enclosed spaces
- Self-heating, mould and caking in damp grain
- Explosive 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.