American Club has noted that silver nitrate testing for
the presence of sodium chloride (salt) in cargo holds prior to loading was an
important practice to prevent claims for damage to steel cargoes.
The Club emphasized that, as part of the standard
pre-load survey for transporting steel cargoes, “vessel cargo hold tank tops,
adjacent sides, and end plating should be tested for the presence of salt by
using a silver nitrate solution”.
However, the Club observed that, in most ports within the
People’s Republic of China (PRC), direct access to vessels by Association
approved surveyors had been restricted. As a result of the recent easing of the
PRC’s zero-Covid policy restrictions, it was expected that there would be a
similar easing of restrictions in ports in the coming months. “In the meantime,
vessel crews are recommended to perform such tests where surveyors are not able
to attend prior to loading of the steel cargo. This will allow the crew to
determine if there are cargo hold locations that should be cleaned further or
covered in tarpaulins to prevent contact between sodium chloride affected areas
and the cargo.”
American Club said that members should consider:
