Carriage of DRI Fines *Update*

Further to our recent Club Circular on the carriage of DRI (C), we have been advised that a number of shippers may be presenting DRI cargoes for shipment under the description of processed iron ore fines.

This cargo has recently been shipped from ports in Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iran. Some of these cargoes have undergone laboratory analysis where they were found to contain significant quantities of metallic iron and therefore clearly fall into the category of DRI (C) which can have a metallic iron content of as little as 1% or 2%.

In order to accurately determine the nature of the cargo being presented for loading it is critical that Members are provided with a cargo declaration meeting the requirements of the IMSBC Code and detailed information on the chemical composition of the cargo.

Click here for our Loss Prevention Briefing – Carriage of DRI

15 April 2011 

It has come to our attention that there have recently been further attempts by shippers of DRI in Venezuela and Mexico to persuade ship owners to carry DRI Fines using precautions different to those described in the IMSBC Code.

Unfortunately shippers position is backed by the issuance of an exemption certificate for the carriage of DRI (C) (by product fines), with moisture in excess of the limits described in the IMSBC Code for DRI (C) using ventilation rather than inerting the holds. These certificates have been issued by the authorities at the port of loading.

In addition Members may be faced with large amounts of technical data produced by the shippers to support their case for carriage under ventilation and not as per the IMSBC Code.

The background to this latest attempt to have DRI (C) shipped under provisions different to those of the IMSBC code is a failed attempt to have a new class of DRI cargo, called Iron Fines (blend), approved for inclusion into the IMSBC Code at IMO DSC 15 during September 2010.

Intercargo have produced a comprehensive briefing note on the situation which can be read here.

DRI(C) cargoes  – no matter their decription by shippers will almost certainly fall under the description of DRI(C) in the IMSBC Code and should be carried strictly in accordance with the Code.

Members are reminded that the IMSBC Code became a mandatory code under SOLAS on 01 January 2011.

DRI: IMSBC Code Carriage Requirements 

Following a number of investigations into accidents associated with the carriage of DRI, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recently revised the relevant schedules to be included in the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargo (IMSBC) Code, currently known as the BC Code.

The IMSBC Code was adopted at the IMO Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) meeting in November 2008 for voluntary implementation from January 2009 and mandatory application from 1 January 2011.

IMSBC DRI schedule for direct reduced iron (B) – lumps, pellets, cold-moulded briquettes
DRI lumps, pellets and briquettes moulded at less than 650°C remain very porous and therefore very reactive. Their fragility means that they can break during loading leading to increased surface area and reactivity. This schedule has been amended to only allow carriage of such cargo under inert conditions.

IMSBC DRI schedule for direct reduced iron (A) – briquettes, hot moulded
Hot moulded briquettes compressed at temperatures in excess of 650°C are less porous than those of DRI (B) with a more robust construction and reduced surface area. However, hot moulded briquettes may still self-heat and emit hydrogen when brought into contact with water and should therefore be kept under close supervision. IMSBC amendments to this schedule are of a minor nature. 

IMSBC DRI schedule for direct reduced iron (C) – by-products
A new schedule is being introduced for the carriage of fines and small particles that are the by-products of DRI (A) and DRI (B). This schedule is drafted in a similar manner to the schedule for DRI (B) and such cargo must be carried under an inert gas blanket.

The allowable moisture content for the carriage of DRI under an inert blanket is a maximum of 0.3%. Intercargo has reported that current DRI (C) cargoes are considered to have moisture content in excess of this value. Tests currently being carried out by the Venezuelan authorities on DRI (C) cargoes with moisture content in excess of 0.3% are expected to be submitted to the IMO Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC) meeting in 2009.