The BIMCO Liquid Cargo database is intended for use by for shore-side staff and to some extent for newcomers to the tanker trade and should only be used as a reference tool providing brief information regarding the more than 360 of the commonly transported liquid cargoes including Benzene and mixtures having 10 % benzene or more
Trade name/synonym name:
Benzol; Benzole; Cyclohexatriene; Benzene.
Main Properties:
Highly flammable liquid and vapour. Highly toxic. May cause cancer.
Main chemical and physical properties:
Flash point Minus 11 deg. C
Boiling Points 80 deg. C
Viscosity @ 20°C < 50 mPa.s
Vapour pressure @ 20°C > 5 kPa (suitable for ventilation according to MARPOL Annex II - vapours are toxic)
Density 879 kg/m3 @ 20 deg. C.
IBC carriage requirements:
IBC chapter 17
Ship Type 3
Tank Type 2G.
Relevant additional IBC requirements:
15.12 Toxic products. Requirements to exhaust openings of vent systems. Connection for vapour-return line to the shore installation. Not to be stowed adjacent to oil fuel tanks. Separate piping systems. Cargo tank relief-valve setting minimum 0.02 MPa gauge (= 200 mBar)
15.17 increased ventilation
15.19.6 high-level alarm
16.2.9 the cargo's melting point shall be indicated in the shipping document
“T” an instrument or detector tubes for detection of toxic cargo vapours shall be on board.
MARPOL requirements:
Annex II
Pollution Category Y
Special information to be added to Shipping Document: The cargo's melting point shall be indicated in the shipping document.
Stowage:
Heat adjacent 38 deg. C
Stow adjacent to fuel oil tanks Yes.
Carriage requirements:
Heating during voyage - No, but may be required in cold climate (m.p. = 6 deg. C)
Heating during unloading - No, but may be required in cold climate
Tanks inerted or padded - Not required by IBC but shipper will often require nitrogen blanket.
Prewash required when unloading temperature is lower than 11 deg. C.
Tank cleaning:
Ambient temperature water wash
Warm/hot temperature water wash
Ambient temperature
Freshwater rinse.
Benzene is liable to be absorbed in tank coating and in particular zinc coating. The concentration of benzene in the vapour space of such cleaned tank may increase up to several hours after tanks have been ventilated and declared gas-free. Check of tank atmosphere is necessary before entry.
Difficult to remove smell after tank cleaning.
Emergency response:
Fire - Use foam or water spray - not water jet.
Spillage - Eliminate sources of ignition. Collect small spills with absorbent material. Larger spills: Try to collect and transfer to spill tank or wash away with water. When in port, - inform Port Authority.
First aid - Remove victim to fresh air. Follow first aid instructions in MSDS. Consider obtaining advice from Radio Medical
Wear gas tight chemical protection suit and self-contained breathing apparatus when handling cargo spill and when there is a risk of getting into contact with cargo liquid or vapour.
Hazards (Occupational safety etc) Highly toxic cargo. Highly flammable liquid and vapour
Benzene can be absorbed through the skin so proper and prudent protection should be worn when handling. TLV 0.5 ppm - An instrument or detector tubes for detecting benzene vapour shall be on board.
Precautions:
Reacts with strong oxidising agents and strong acids.
Remarks:
Please note: The entry in the IBC code for Benzene and mixtures having 10 % benzene or more only applies for mixtures containing no other components with safety hazards and where the pollution category is Y or less.
Use:
Manufacturing of ethylbenzene (for styrene monomer), dodecylbenzene (for detergents), cyclohexane (for nylon), phenol, nitrobenzene (for aniline), chlorobenzene, diphenyl, benzene hexachloride, benzene-sulfonic acid, and as a solvent.
The BIMCO Liquid Cargo Database contains information for more than 360 cargoes, all updated to the IBC Code 2021 amended requirements.
