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 Lauric Acid
Trade name/synonym names:
Dodecanoic acid; n-Dodecanoic acid; Laurostearic acid; 1-undecane carbolic acid; Dodecylic acid.
Main Properties:
Colourless needle-like crystals at ambient temperature. At temperatures above melting point (app. 45 deg. C) - colourless liquid
Very hazardous in case of ingestion. Hazardous in case of skin contact, of eye contact and of inhalation
Non flammable.
Main chemical and physical properties:
Flash point > 150 deg. C
Boiling Points 225 deg. C
Viscosity @ 20°C Unknown
Less than 50 mPa.s at 60 deg. C (unloading temperature)
Vapour pressure @ 20°C < 5 kPa (not suitable for ventilation)
Density 888 kg/m3 @ 60 deg. C.
IBC carriage requirements:
IBC chapter 17
Please note that with effect from 01 December 2024 the cargo Lauric Acid is now available as Lauric acid (amended). The entry for this cargo is found in MEPC.2/Circ.30 List 1, and the cargo must be included on the vessel's Certificate of Fitness.
Ship Type 2
Tank Type 2G
Relevant additional IBC requirements 15.19.6 high-level alarm
16.2.6 the cargo's viscosity at 20 deg. C, or the temperature at which the cargo has a viscosity of 50 mPa.s shall be specified in the shipping document
16.2.9 cargo's melting point shall be specified in the shipping document.
MARPOL Requirements:
Annex II
Pollution Category X
Special information to be added to Shipping Document - The cargo's viscosity at 20 deg. C shall be specified on a shipping document. If the cargo's viscosity exceeds 50 mPa.s at 20 deg. C, the temperature at which the cargo has a viscosity of 50 mPa.s shall be specified in the shipping document. The cargo's melting point shall be indicated in the shipping document.
Please note that several epoxy tank coatings is not compatible with Lauric acid.
Stowage:
Heat adjacent Yes
Stow adjacent to fuel oil tanks Yes.
Carriage requirements:
Heating during voyage 50 - 55 deg. C. Follow heating instruction
Heating during unloading 60 deg. C. Follow heating instruction!
Tanks inerted or padded Not required by IBC code.
Prewash required? Prewash required by MARPOL Annex II.
Tank cleaning:
Prewash with hot temperature water - preferably fresh water (in order to avoid white sticky residues)
Warm/hot temperature water wash (preferably fresh water)
Ambient temperature freshwater rinse
Inspect and check tanks (possibly wall wash test depending on next cargo?) to determine if further cleaning is required.
Emergency Response
Fire: Cargo is non-flammable. However, in case of fire adjacent: Use foam or water spray - not water jet
Spillage: 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):
Causes serious eye damage.
Precautions:
Obtain and follow heating instruction
Carefully check cargo tank coating manufacturer's instructions when cargo carried in epoxy coated tanks
As Lauric acid is solidifying and MARPOL Annex II Pollution category X, the tank shall be prewashed as soon as possible after unloading. If possible, tank shall be heated prior to washing. Residues in hatches and manholes shall preferably be removed prior to the prewash.
Remarks:
Please obtain correct product name of the cargo as several trade names exist
Derived from fractional distillation of mixed coconut- or other vegetable fatty acids
Use: Alkyd resins, wetting agents, soaps, detergents, cosmetics, insecticides, food additives.
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.