Key data
| Stowage factor | 0.70–0.90 m³/t (typical 0.78)24.7–31.8 ft³/t (typical 27.5) |
|---|---|
| Form | Bulk |
| IMSBC group | C Cargoes that neither liquefy nor carry a chemical hazard. |
| Angle of repose | ~35 |
| BCSN | GYPSUM |
ft³/t values are per metric tonne (1 m³/t ≈ 35.31 ft³/t). Stowage factors are indicative — see note below.
Description
Gypsum is a calcium sulphate mineral shipped in bulk for plaster, plasterboard and cement. At around 0.78 m3/t it is a dense, deadweight cargo. Chemically inert and low-hazard, its handling is dominated by dust and by its tendency to absorb water and set hard, so keeping it dry is the priority.
Stowage & loading
Holds are presented clean and dry, and the gypsum is loaded by grab or conveyor and trimmed level. Dryness is the priority because wetted gypsum sets hard like plaster, fouling the stow and discharge, and dust control is in place as the mineral is dusty in handling.
Hazards & handling
The main concerns are physical: pervasive dust that is a nuisance to machinery and crew, and the cargo's tendency to take up water and set into a hard, difficult-to-discharge mass. It is otherwise inert and stable, neither reacting dangerously nor self-heating.
Carriage & discharge
The cargo is kept dry to prevent setting, with the holds watched for any water ingress, and is otherwise stable in carriage. Discharge is by grab; any set or caked material is broken out, dust is controlled, and the residue is cleaned from holds on completion.
Key hazards
- Sets hard like plaster if wetted, fouling stow and discharge
- Pervasive nuisance dust during handling
- Caking of any damp or wetted material
Loading precautions
- Present clean, dry holds and keep the cargo dry throughout
- Apply dust-control measures during handling
- Watch for water ingress that would set the cargo
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.