Key data
| Stowage factor | 1.90–2.40 m³/t (typical 2.10)67.1–84.8 ft³/t (typical 74.2) |
|---|---|
| Form | Bulk |
| IMSBC group | C Cargoes that neither liquefy nor carry a chemical hazard. |
| Angle of repose | ~30 |
| BCSN | SUNFLOWER SEED |
ft³/t values are per metric tonne (1 m³/t ≈ 35.31 ft³/t). Stowage factors are indicative — see note below.
Description
Sunflower seed is a major oilseed for crushing into oil and meal. The husked seeds are extremely light and bulky, giving one of the higher stowage factors in the grain and oilseed trades at around 2.1 m3/t, so the cargo cubes out the holds with very little deadweight and ships cube out far short of their marks.
Stowage & loading
Clean, dry, odour-free holds and a grain stability assessment apply as for any seed cargo. The light, bulky seeds are loaded by spout or conveyor; making full use of cubic capacity and trimming to fill the space matter far more than weight, and moisture is watched closely given the heating risk.
Hazards & handling
The oil content gives sunflower seed a real self-heating tendency if shipped or kept too moist, with mould, caking and loss of quality, and the cargo respires and depletes oxygen. It is dusty and that dust is explosive in handling, and the seeds taint and are tainted, so clean holds and segregation matter.
Carriage & discharge
Ventilation is managed on a dew-point basis against sweat, with temperatures monitored where moisture gives concern. Fumigation in transit is common, with residues cleared and spaces certified before entry. Discharge is by grab or suction, the very light cargo handling easily but blowing about readily.
Key hazards
- Self-heating from the oil content if shipped or kept too moist
- Oxygen depletion in enclosed spaces, with possible fumigant residues
- Explosive dust and high taint sensitivity
Loading precautions
- Present clean, dry, odour-free holds and apply the grain stability assessment
- Plan for full cubic capacity given the very light, bulky cargo
- Treat moisture as the key acceptance criterion and control transfer dust
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.