近期国际水域接连发生装载A 类易流态化货物的船舶沉没事故，尽管 IMO 持续修订《国际海运固体散装货物规则》（IMSBC 规则），航运业也多次发布风险警示，该类事故仍处于高发态势。
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镍矿、铁精粉等细颗粒矿粉属于《IMSBC 规则》下 A 类易流态化货物，该类货物在船舶航行振动作用下极易析出游离水分，发生货物流移，进而造成船舶横倾甚至船舶灭失，属于散货运输风险极高的货种之一。实务中，即便托运人提供完整检测证书，仍不能完全排除航行途中的液化风险。本文围绕以下主要风险予以剖析，并就船东应对相关实务问题给出建议。
一、审慎核查货物检测报告
依据 SOLAS 公约及 IMSBC 规则，托运人负有法定义务，向承运人提交“货物实际含水率（MC）”与“适运水分极限（TML）”检测证书，货物实际含水率必须低于 TML 方可装船。但实务中部分装港取样作业流程存在不合规情形，送检样品与实际待装船货物不一致的情况时有发生。根据IMSBC规则，含水率检测报告的取样时间距离装船不能超过 7 天，如果中间经历降雨，应当重新取样检测，但有的发货人仍沿用旧报告。更严重的是，个别地区的发货人直接提供虚假证书。
因此，如条件允许，船方可委托有公信力的独立第三方检验机构对A类易流态化货物进行取样化验，以核实货物真实的状态。需要提醒的是，船上常用的Can‑test只是船上简易的现场筛查手段，仅作参考，不能替代实验室检测。即便圆筒测试未检出游离水，也不代表货物已经满足安全适运条件。
二、船长拒装权利
当船长有合理依据怀疑货物含水率超标时，船东往往面临现实压力：租家与托运人通常会以船期为由施压船东接受货物，船方若选择拒绝装货，易引发业务争议，造成船期损失，甚至触发租约项下的索赔纠纷。
明确的是，在 SOLAS 公约项下，当船长合理判定货物状况将对船舶、船员构成安全威胁时，船长有权拒绝或中止装货，该行为不构成租约项下违约。但需注意该项权利行使必须配套完备证据留存：
装货作业期间如遭遇降雨，应当立即停止装货，同步做好影像资料与书面记录；
将货堆积水、驳船货物遭雨水淋浸、货堆局部潮湿等异常情况，详实记入航海日志、大副作业记录；
就货物风险向租家、托运人、代理发送正式书面通知，避免仅作口头沟通；
对受潮货物经露天晾晒的状态的记录保持审慎：镍矿类货物露天晾晒仅可干燥表层，内部水分难以挥发，不应直接推定货物恢复适运状态。
三、设置保护性租约条款
即便船东做了前述风险应对工作，仍然会面临风险。例如部分装港发货人会阻碍船东委派的独立检验人员进入货场取样；租家可能设置一些限制船东权利的租约条款等。
对此，船东可在租约层面增设装运 A 类易流态化货物专项的保护性条款，明确船方安排独立检验的权利；约定因船长行使安全拒装权利产生的时间损失、相关费用由租家承担，规避后续争议。
以下为 IG 集团推荐的租约条款，建议船东在运输 “A 类” 货物时将其作为标准模板纳入租约，可结合实际情况修改调整：
The clause reads as follows and may be amended as required:
Solid bulk cargoes are to be presented for carriage, loaded, (and where necessary trimmed) only so far as lawful and harmless, and always in compliance with all applicable international regulations, including IMSBC Code 2009 (as may be amended from time to time). All time taken in complying with such regulations, or as a result of non-compliance shall be for Charterers sole time and expense (whether as hire or as laytime/demurrage as applicable). Charterers shall be responsible for any and all additional costs, expenses and liabilities whatsoever incurred in such compliance or as a result of any non-compliance. For IMSBC Code Group A cargoes the Charterers are to provide certificate(s) of test from a laboratory which must be approved in advance by Owners at Owners absolute discretion, and such certificate(s) of test must show the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) and Flow Moisture Point (FMP) and moisture content. Such certificate(s) are to be presented to Owners and Master prior to, and as a condition, of the commencement of loading. The Master shall also have the right in his absolute discretion to refuse to accept cargo on board or, after loading, to refuse to sail, where in his reasonable opinion, there is a risk (including but not limited to the risk of liquefaction of the cargo) which could jeopardise the safety of the crew, the vessel or the cargo on the voyage. The Master shall also have the right in his absolute discretion to demand that such cargo be offloaded from the vessel. Such refusal and/or demand to offload shall not be a breach of charter and Charterers shall be responsible at their sole time and expense (whether as hire or as laytime/demurrage as applicable) for all steps required to make the cargo safe and/or to allow the vessel to sail to the satisfaction of the Master. In any event, Charterers are to allow Owners or their representatives to take samples of cargoes prior to, and as a condition, of loading and Owners shall be entitled to test such samples and/or appoint surveyors and/or experts to act on their behalf always at Owner’s discretion. Charterers agree to pay and indemnify owners for all costs and consequences incurred as a result of Charterers orders to load solid bulk cargoes and all the time taken up by the steps outlined in this clause shall be for Charterers account and Charterers shall be responsible at their sole time and expense (whether as hire or as laytime/demurrage as applicable). This clause is always without prejudice to the obligations of Charterers to provide a safe cargo and in relation to loading and nothing done or omitted to be done by the Master or Owners pursuant to this clause shall amount to a waiver of any rights of Owners.
四、承保层面的提示
无论是保赔险保险人和船壳险保险人均高度关注 A 类易流态化货物运输风险。尤其是装运菲律宾、印尼等高危产地镍矿，船东应在装货前履行预先告知义务，向保险人报送船舶、装港、租家、货物等资料，协会可视情况要求实施装前检验。如未履行事前通知义务，后续一旦发生液化事故，有可能触发保险除外责任。
此外，若船东或其指定的检验人收到任何要求其确认货物适于运输的文件，应拒绝签署。确认货物适运是属于托运人的法定义务。一旦船方签署该类文件，后续发生事故时，会损害船东向托运人开展追偿的权利，进而影响船东保险的保障。
本内容来自诺亚天泽保险经纪，旨在分享、交流，仅做一般性参考，不应视为针对特定事务的意见或依据。
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