Key data
| Stowage factor | 1.25–1.40 m³/t (typical 1.33)44.1–49.4 ft³/t (typical 47.0) |
|---|---|
| Form | Bulk |
| IMSBC group | C Cargoes that neither liquefy nor carry a chemical hazard. |
| Angle of repose | ~25 |
| BCSN | SORGHUM |
ft³/t values are per metric tonne (1 m³/t ≈ 35.31 ft³/t). Stowage factors are indicative — see note below.
Description
Sorghum, traded in many markets as milo, is a cereal used for feed, food and increasingly biofuel. It handles as a clean, free-flowing grain with a stowage factor near 1.33 m3/t, making it a measurement cargo whose intake is governed by cubic capacity and the grain stability position rather than by deadweight.
Stowage & loading
As with other grains, holds are clean, dry and free of infestation, and grain fittings or a stability calculation control the free surface. Loading is by spout or conveyor and the cargo trims readily, with attention paid to even loading and to the dust produced during transfer.
Hazards & handling
Sorghum respires and depletes oxygen, so enclosed spaces are entered only under precaution, and damp cargo can self-heat, mould and cake. It is prone to taint from contaminated holds, and the grain dust raised in handling is explosive, so ignition control around transfer points is standard practice.
Carriage & discharge
Ventilation is worked against sweat on a dew-point basis and temperatures watched where moisture is a concern. Fumigation in transit is common, with residues cleared and spaces certified 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.