Sugar is one of the most widely traded agricultural products in global commerce, with its transportation primarily carried out via bulk carriers. Although, according to the IMSBC Code, it is classified as a “Group C” cargo, it nevertheless presents certain peculiarities that may cause problems during transportation and damage to the cargo.
Specifically, the key points one should know regarding the management of sugar as cargo are the following:
1. Sensitivity to moisture
Due to the high solubility of sugar, avoiding contact with water is critical. Moisture exposure to sugar can cause severe effects:
2. Caking and stickiness
The occurrence of caking and stickiness can lead to problems during unloading and increased cargo handling costs. The main causes include:
3. Contamination
Contamination may be due to residues from other cargoes, intrusion of foreign objects such as plastics, or inadequate cleaning of loading/unloading equipment.
4. Stowage
In some cases, mainly for processed white sugar, the cargo is transported in bags. Then, the main risks include:
Source: Gard
