The Loading Guide Most Bulk Carrier Officers Never Open Until Something's Wrong

A Specialised Guide for a Specialised Cargo

ABS maintains a dedicated Guide for Special Loading of Ore and Ore/Oil Carriers, covering the specific loading care requirements these vessel types demand. Ore's high density concentrates weight into a small footprint compared with general bulk cargo, and ore/oil combination carriers add the complexity of switching between cargo types across their service life — both of which place structural and loading-sequence demands that a generic bulk carrier loading plan doesn't fully address.

What This Means for Officers on These Vessel Types

• If you serve on an ore or ore/oil carrier, confirm your vessel's loading computer and loading plan are built around ABS's special loading guidance, not a generic bulk carrier template
• High-density cargo loading sequences carry less margin for error on hold-by-hold stress than lower-density bulk cargo — treat loading plan deviations with proportionate caution
• Ore/oil combination carriers add tank cleaning and cargo-changeover considerations on top of structural loading — know your vessel's specific procedure for the switch

Related Reading

• The Platform Collapsed Under a Surveyor — another ABS guide worth knowing before you need it