Trade name/synonym names:
Methylbenzene; Phenylmethane; Toluol; Benzoen
Main Properties
Colourless liquid, benzene like odour. Flammable, dangerous fire risk. Toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption.
Main chemical and physical properties
Flash point 4 deg. C
Boiling Points 111 deg. C
Viscosity @ 20°C < 50 mPa.s
Vapour pressure @ 20°C < 5 kPa
Density 866 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)
15.9.6 high-level alarm
“T” an instrument or detector tubes for detection of toxic cargo vapors shall be on board.
MARPOL Requirements:
Annex II
Pollution Category Y
Special information to be added to Shipping Document-Standard information.
Stowage:
Heat adjacent 38 deg. C
Stow adjacent to fuel oil tanks No.
Carriage requirements:
Heating during voyage No
Heating during unloading No.
Tanks inerted or padded Not required by IBC Code. Check with shipper
Prewash required?
No prewash required by MARPOL Annex II.
Tank cleaning:
Ambient temperature water wash
Warm temperature water wash
Ambient temperature freshwater rinse
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.
Hazards (Occupational safety etc):
Highly flammable liquid and vapour
Toxic by ingestion, inhalation and skin absorption
TLV 25 ppm. Skin absorption
“T” an instrument or detector tubes for detection of toxic cargo vapours shall be on board.
Precautions
Stable at normal carriage conditions. Reacts with strong acids and strong oxidising agents.
Remarks
Will require very clean and dry tanks prior to loading. Wall wash will often be required.
Use: Aviation gasoline and high-octane blending stock. Solvent for paints and coatings. Source of toluene diisocyanates. Explosives (TNT). Solvent, in producing many other chemicals.
The BIMCO Liquid Cargo Database contains information for more than 360 cargoes, all updated to the IBC Code 2021 amended requirements, but in order to ensure that the BIMCO Liquid Cargo Database information is kept updated, we highly welcome any feedback in the form of comments, response, information or data regarding a specific cargo.
