The vessel's Master is responsible to ensure that the vessel is ready for the intended cargo operation and that decks and driveways are adequately lit and ventilated in accordance with SOLAS requirements. (Whenever possible, the cargo hold ventilation should be started 30 minutes before the start of the cargo operation to establish a noticeable airflow through the cargo holds).
Bunker tanks adjoining cargo spaces should be heated only when required, ensuring that the temperature does not rise above normal operational levels.
Cargo Ventilation and Precautions to Minimize Sweat.
"Moisture damage" is the source of a significant number of cargo claims, often involving bagged or bulk agricultural products. Claimants typically allege that failure by the ship to ventilate correctly resulted in the development of condensation ("sweat"), causing the cargo to deteriorate.
However, it is also important to recognize that some commodities may have inherent moisture levels which exceed acceptable limits at the time of loading, making them biologically unstable. Such details may not be known to the ship, and prudent ventilation measures may be insufficient to prevent deterioration of the cargo on passage. Nevertheless, claimants may still maintain that the ship was at fault.
To defend cargo deterioration claims it is necessary for the vessel to produce records showing that customary ventilation routines were followed. Should the necessary evidence be missing or incomplete, it is often difficult for the Club to refuse such assertions.