Every rainy season in Vietnam, cement cargo claims begin appearing at discharge ports across Asia. Heavy rain is usually blamed for these losses. However, after more than 20 years attending cement cargo operations at Vietnamese ports, VM Control has found that many claims actually originate from small operational issues that remain unnoticed before the vessel sails.
To safeguard your fixture, the three most common risks must be tightly controlled:
1. Cargo Hold Sweating
A cargo hold may appear completely dry during loading, yet moisture can develop later due to the thermal gradient and temperature differences between ballast tanks, steel structures, and ambient air. One incorrect ventilation decision by the crew can initiate cement caking long before the vessel reaches the discharge port.
2. Cement-Clogged Drain Channels
Cement dust inevitably settles inside hatch drain channels and non-return valves during loading operations. Once exposed to sea spray or rainwater during the voyage, this dust may harden into concrete and restrict the drainage system. Blocked drainage leads to water accumulation around hatch covers, drastically increasing the risk of moisture ingress into the cargo space.
3. Hatch Sealing Deficiencies
Ram-Nek tape and other sealing materials are only effective when applied to clean, bone-dry, and properly prepared steel surfaces. Dust contamination creates micro-capillary gaps that later allow moisture to be drawn directly into the cargo hold due to negative pressure changes during the voyage.
Why These Findings Matter
None of these issues appear particularly serious during loading. However, they routinely become significant when the cargo condition is questioned at the discharge port, and surveyors, receivers, and P&I representatives become involved. In our experience on the tank top, preventing these issues before departure is far less costly than defending a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar cargo damage claim afterwards.
How VM Control Supports Operators
VM Control assists shipowners, operators, and charterers through targeted risk mitigation:
- Cargo Hold Inspections
- Hatch Cover Inspections
- Loading Supervision
- Condition Surveys
- Loss Prevention Surveys
- Independent Documentation and Evidence Preservation
For urgent survey attendance and loss prevention support throughout Vietnam, please contact our 24/7 operations desk:
CONTACT INFORMATION
VIET MARINE CONTROL JOINT STOCK COMPANY – VM CONTROL
📍 Address: 1831/10/9 Huynh Tan Phat Street, Quarter 2, Nha Be Commune, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
📞 Hotline: +84 981 600 440 / +84 918 114 742
🌐 Website: www.vietmarinecontrol.com.vn
📧 Email: survey@vietmarinecontrol.com.vn
🔵 Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/vm-control-234252386