Gard has issued a renewed warning over the danger of bulk cargo liquefaction after a fatal incident involving a bulk carrier in the Bay of Bengal, prompting particular scrutiny of iron ore fines loaded at ports on India’s east coast.
The warning, summarised in a report published by reports on 4 September 2026, underlined Gard’s view that the hazards posed by moist bulk cargos remain significant and require continuous attention from owners, charterers and port operators.
Gard reminded Members and clients that liquefaction can occur when certain bulk cargos contain sufficient moisture to change state under ship motion, compromising stability and endangering the crew. The association’s alert followed the recent tragic loss of life aboard a bulk carrier in the Bay of Bengal, an event that has sharpened concern about a subset of iron ore fines shipments.
The incident has drawn attention to consignments originating from ports on India’s east coast, where some cargoes of iron ore fines have been identified as presenting elevated risks. Gard’s communication did not single out individual terminals or operators but emphasised the need for vigilance when handling consignments that may be vulnerable to liquefaction.
Shipowners and operators are being urged to review their procedures for assessing cargo condition, carriage and monitoring. Gard’s reminder to Members reiterates longstanding industry advice that adequate precautions before and during loading are essential to reduce the chance of catastrophic cargo behaviour at sea.
Focus on loading practices
The alert places particular emphasis on the loading phase as a critical control point. Where there is any doubt about cargo moisture content or the homogeneity of a bulk consignment, the organisation’s guidance highlights the importance of delaying or refusing loading until satisfactory assurance can be obtained.
Safety implications for shipboard operations
The loss in the Bay of Bengal has underlined the human cost that can follow rapid cargo instability. Gard’s notice to clients stressed that the consequences of liquefaction are not confined to economic loss; crew safety is directly at risk when a vessel’s stability is suddenly compromised.
Industry stakeholders are being reminded that risk management extends beyond simple documentation. Sampling regimes, representative testing, clear communications between shippers and ship masters and conservative operational decision-making are all part of the defensive measures that professional bodies like Gard expect their Members to observe.
While The report of 4 September 2026 provides the immediate prompt for the renewed warning, the broader concern is familiar within dry bulk trades: certain grades of iron ore fines, if presented with excessive moisture, can become unstable in a seaborne environment. Gard’s alert serves as a timely call for heightened care where such cargoes are concerned.
The shipping industry will be watching responses from port authorities, cargo interests and vessel operators in the affected region. For now, Gard’s message is a clear instruction to those involved in the carriage of iron ore fines to apply rigorous checks and, where necessary, to abstain from loading until cargoes meet safe carriage conditions.
The reports item is the latest public account relaying Gard’s concerns and the circumstances that prompted them, and it has reinforced industry awareness of the risks that remain associated with some iron ore fines shipments from the east coast of India.