Cotton
A soft, downy substance resembling fine wool and obtained from the pods of the cotton plant, a flowering shrub grown annually from seed. Cotton is widely cultivated in sub-tropical areas, particularly in India, Egypt and Sudan, China, Australia and the USA.
Cotton is valuable as a clothing material, being transported in bales to areas of manufacture such as Europe and the Far East. These bales vary in the way the cotton is pressed together, certain methods compressing the cotton more than those systems employed elsewhere, thereby reducing the stowage space required for carriage.
All cotton however, is extremely prone to spontaneous combustion, especially if in contact with oil/grease, and carrying vessels must be fitted with a fire smothering system and good ventilation facilities. Wetted cotton will tend to overheat and damage itself. Cargo compartments must therefore be spotlessly clean, oil-free and dry.
Cotton-Seeds: Classified as a grain cargo for ocean transportation purposes, the seeds of the cotton plant are utilised for their oils, and like most oilseeds, the residue husks (or hulls) form expellers and are capable of being pressed into seedcake. Sweats heavily and is liable to spontaneous combustion. Principally exported from West Africa.
- Cotton (Australian) Baled Stowage Factor 130
- Cotton (Sudanese) Baled Stowage Factor 120
- Cotton (Egyptian) Baled Stowage Factor 70
- Cotton (Indian) Baled Stowage Factor 60
- Cotton (American) Baled Stowage Factor 130
- Cottonseeds Bagged Stowage Factor 90/100
- Cottonseeds Cake Bulk Stowage Factor 55/65
- Cottonseeds Expellers Bulk Stowage Factor 60/65