Can a load of petcoke damage a ship hold

Question:

Can a load of petcoke damage a ship hold?

Answer: 

The answer to this question is it depends on the grade of petcoke a ship is transporting. Both calcined petcoke and green delayed petcoke require thorough cargo hold cleaning but only one requires additional ship hold protection.

Calcined petcoke is a fairly dry cargo and considered to be inert. It is not hazardous to bulk carrier holds so barrier protection is not required. However, holds carrying calcined petcoke must be completely cleaned to remove all traces of its black residue.

Green delayed petcoke is mostly inert, but is known as a dirty, or greasy cargo, high in oil/carbon content. It can be hard on a ship’s hold when it comes to cleaning. The stubborn, persistent stains it leaves behind are difficult to remove and only get more difficult the longer it’s left. Surveyors pay close attention to these stains because they can cause paint to blister and peel if the hold sweats.

To protect cargo holds that are carrying green delayed petcoke, we recommend using a HydroBlaster water cannon. It combines water and compressed air to create a powerful jet that excels at removing cargo residues, rust, scale and loose paint. This should be followed by the application of a protective barrier solution specifically designed for ships carrying greasy cargos like green delayed petcoke.

RBM HoldSolutions is proud to offer the very best in barrier and cleaning products for cargo ship holds. Our formulations are tested and designed to be effective, environmentally friendly and easy to use.