Coal news and updates

MOL Adopts Thermal Imaging for Coal Safety

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines has introduced a thermal imaging system commercialized by FLIR Systems Japan K.K. on MOL group-operated coal carriers. The system, which relies on infrared cameras, helps prevent spontaneous combustion of coal in the cargo hold.

Coal can oxidize, generating heat during transport and cargo operations. This can result in fires in the cargo hold or at unloading stock yards.

The International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC Code) stipulates various measures for ocean transport of coal, for example, coal may not be loaded if it is warmer than a specified temperature before loading, and the cargo hold temperature and gas atmosphere must be monitored periodically to detect dangerous conditions.

The cameras allow the crew to quickly pinpoint and visualize high temperatures and combustion spots using infrared sensors, not only in the cargo hold but also in other areas of the vessel, allowing remote monitoring of the engine room, for example.

The system will play a key role in preventing onboard fires and burn injuries, says MOL.

MOL launched its biannual vessel safety campaign on October 1, targeting all MOL-operated vessels. The current campaign centers on prevention of onboard fires.

MOL positions safe operation as a social commitment and the highest priority in all of its business activities, as the company forges ahead to become the world leader in safe operation. As part of these efforts, President and CEO Junichiro Ikeda, executives and other personnel are conducting an extensive series of visits to MOL-operated vessels in Japan and overseas. During the visits, they meet with onboard employees who are responsible for front-line safety and exchange information and opinions about ways to prevent safety-related incidents.

Proposals and ideas gained through this campaign, which is held twice a year with a different theme, will be shared throughout the MOL group and among group-operated vessels to further enhance the group's safe-operation structure.

source: http://www.maritime-executive.com