Key data
| Stowage factor | 0.95–1.10 m³/t (typical 1.02)33.5–38.8 ft³/t (typical 36.0) |
|---|---|
| Form | Bulk |
| IMSBC group | C Cargoes that neither liquefy nor carry a chemical hazard. |
| Angle of repose | ~35 |
| BCSN | SUGAR |
ft³/t values are per metric tonne (1 m³/t ≈ 35.31 ft³/t). Stowage factors are indicative — see note below.
Description
Raw or VHP sugar moves in bulk from cane and beet producers to refineries in large parcels. At around 1.02 m3/t it sits just on the deadweight side of the line, reaching the marks at about the point the holds fill. It is a clean but demanding cargo whose value is easily damaged by moisture or contamination in transit.
Stowage & loading
Holds must be presented spotlessly clean, dry and free of any odour or residue from previous cargoes, because sugar both taints easily and shows contamination plainly. Loading is by grab or conveyor and the cargo trims readily, but it begins to take up moisture and set from the moment it is loaded, so wet weather handling is managed carefully.
Hazards & handling
Sugar is strongly hygroscopic: it absorbs atmospheric moisture and cakes into a hard mass, and wetting can lead to fermentation and self-heating with heavy loss of quality. It taints readily from residues, fuel or strong-smelling neighbours. Dust is a housekeeping matter. None of these is a safety-of-ship hazard, but each is a serious cargo-care and claims risk.
Carriage & discharge
Ventilation is managed to limit ship and cargo sweat without admitting damp air, and the cargo is monitored for any sign of moisture take-up or heating. Discharge is by grab; hardened or caked sugar at the boundaries of the stow may need to be broken out. Holds are cleaned thoroughly afterwards, as sticky residue is difficult to remove.
Key hazards
- Hygroscopic caking into a hard mass as the cargo absorbs moisture
- Fermentation and self-heating if the cargo is wetted
- Taint from residues, fuel or strong-smelling adjacent cargoes
Loading precautions
- Present holds spotlessly clean, dry and odour-free before loading
- Manage wet-weather loading and discharge to keep moisture out
- Ventilate to limit sweat without admitting damp air during the voyage
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.