E
SUB-COMMITTEE ON CARRIAGE OFCARGOES AND CONTAINERS
10th session
Agenda item 5

CCC 10/5/12
12 July 2024
Original: ENGLISH
Pre-session public release: ☒AMENDMENTS TO THE IMSBC CODE AND SUPPLEMENTS
Amendment to the individual schedules for DIRECT REDUCED IRON (A)and DIRECT REDUCED IRON (B)Submitted by Japan, BIMCO, ICS, IIMA and INTERCARGOSUMMARY
Executive summary:This document contains a proposal for an amendment to theindividual schedules for DIRECT REDUCED IRON (A) and DIRECTREDUCED IRON (B).

Strategic direction,
if applicable:

7Output:

7.13

Action to be taken:

Paragraph 13

Related documents:

CCC 9/5/15, CCC 9/14; E&T 40/3/3, E&T 40/INF.2 and CCC 10/5

Background1
Hot briquetted direct reduced iron, so-called "HBI" (hot briquetted iron) has been
carried in bulk under the individual schedule for "DIRECT REDUCED IRON (A) Briquettes,hot-moulded", hereafter expressed as "DRI (A)". This cargo is a key strategic component for
decarbonization of iron and steel production and the volume of carriage is anticipated toincrease.
2The Sub-Committee, at the previous session, considered document CCC 9/5/15(IIMA), containing a proposal for amendments to the individual schedule for DRI (A), to makethe density criterion mandatory and to clarify and strengthen the provisions of the "Loading"section of the schedule in order to emphasize the importance of briquette integrity and strength.
The Sub-Committee agreed to refer the document to E&T 40 for further consideration with aview to providing advice to CCC 10 (CCC 9/14, paragraphs 5.36 to 5.38).
3In document E&T 40/3/3 (Japan et al.), Japan and IIMA expressed their belief that it
is crucial to communicate the importance and relevance of apparent density to safe shipmentof DRI (A) and the risks associated with inadequately-pressed, low-strength briquettes toconcerned stakeholders. In this context, they proposed to issue an MSC circular for
disseminating the information and recommendation.

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Page 2
4E&T 40, having considered document E&T 40/3/3, proposing to issue an MSC circularon safe carriage of DRI (A), and document E&T 40/INF.2 (IIMA), providing background to theproposals made in documents CCC 9/5/15 and E&T 40/3/3, agreed, in principle, to:.1

include the term "apparent density" in the schedules for DRI (A) and"DIRECT REDUCED IRON (B), Lumps, pellets, cold-moulded briquettes",hereafter expressed as "DRI (B)", along with a footnote concerning
explanation of the term and the method for measurement according toISO 15968:2016;.2

make apparent density a mandatory requirement; and.3

invite interested Member States and international organizations to submit
further proposals to CCC 10 in this regard (CCC 10/5, paragraphs 3.37
to 3.41).

Discussion
5
Apparent density is the mass in air per volume, including both the solid and void
spaces within particles, but excluding the void spaces between particles. Apparent density ofDRI (A) is determined in accordance with ISO 15968:2016 "Direct reduced iron – determinationof apparent density and water absorption of hot briquetted iron (HBI)".
6
Apparent density is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the briquetting process,being a proxy for the reactivity of the material. Apparent density can be negatively impacted
by too low briquetting temperature and/or pressure, as well as by problems with the briquettingpress itself. At an apparent density of greater than 5,000 kg/m3, the reactivity of DRI (A) is
considered to be sufficiently reduced for safe shipment. Inadequate briquetting may lead tobriquettes with poor physical strength, in turn leading to briquette breakage, the generation ofexcessive small particles and exposure and release of uncompacted pellets.
7As mentioned in paragraph 7 of document E&T 40/3/3, lower grade HBI, produced
using a proportion of lower grade iron ore, is also transported. The proportion of low grade ironore in the production of HBI currently being shipped is such that the HBI, whilst of somewhat
lower grade than HBI produced exclusively from high grade iron ore (which has a total iron(Fe) content of at least 88% by weight), still satisfies the requirement for an apparent density
greater than 5,000 kg/m3.
8However, in the medium to long-term future, due to limitations in the supply of highgrade iron ore, an increasing volume of HBI for maritime transport will necessarily be producedwith a high proportion of lower grade iron ore which, depending on the process and technology
employed, may not achieve an apparent density of 5,000 kg/m3.
9As it now stands, HBI that does not have apparent density of 5,000 kg/m3, should be
shipped in accordance with the DRI (B) schedule. However, this may not necessarily beappropriate for all types of lower grade HBI which, whilst not satisfying the apparent density
criterion, may nevertheless have been briquetted at sufficiently high temperature and pressure
to achieve a low level of reactivity such as to enable safe shipment.
10
As mentioned in document E&T 40/INF.2, an ongoing scientific research project,designated HBI C-Flex, which is partially financed by a grant from an EU fund and sponsoredby participants along the iron ore to steel value chain, aims to investigate, inter alia, the impactof the use of lower grade iron ore on the safe shipment of HBI and thus how to adapt future
maritime regulations accordingly.
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11The primary purpose of the proposed amendments to the DRI (A) schedule is to better
ensure the safe shipment of this cargo. However, in proposing these amendments, theco-sponsors do not wish to preclude the possibility that lower grade HBI with a total iron (Fe)content less than 88% by weight and apparent density of 5,000 kg/m3 or lower could, in themeantime, be carried in bulk, as necessary, as a cargo not listed in the IMSBC Code under
the provision in 1.3 of the IMSBC Code. In this regard, the co-sponsors propose to include
texts for differentiating high grade and low grade HBI based on total iron (Fe) content in thesections for "Description" in the schedules for DRI (A) and DRI (B).
Proposal
12
The co-sponsors propose the amendments to the individual schedules for DRI (A)and DRI (B), as set out in the annex of this document.
Action requested of the Sub-Committee
13
The Sub-Committee is invited to consider the proposed amendments and take action,
as appropriate.

***

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CCC 10/5/12Annex, page 1
ANNEX
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

Proposed draft amendments to the individual schedule for DRI (A)Note 1: Tracked changes are created using "strikeout" for deleted text and "grey shading" tohighlight all modifications and new insertions, including deleted text.
1

Amend the text in the section for "Description" as follows:"Direct reduced iron (DRI) (A) is a metallic grey material, moulded in a briquette form,
emanating from a densification process, whereby the DRI feed material is hotmoulded into a briquette form with total iron (Fe) content of at least 88% by weight ata temperature greater than 650°C and has a density greater than 5,000 kg/m3. Fines
and small particles (under 6.35 mm) shall not exceed 5% by weight."

2
Amend the first to the third paragraphs in the section for "Loading" with the associatedfootnote as follows:"Prior to loading this cargo, the shipper shall provide the master with a certificate
issued by a competent person recognized by the competent authority of the port ofloading stating that the cargo, at the time of loading, is suitable for shipment and thatit conforms with the requirements of this Code;: that the apparent density* is greaterthan 5,000 kg/m3; the quantity of fines and small particles (under 6.35 mm in size)
does not exceed more than 5% by weight; the moisture content does not exceed 1.0%
and the temperature does not exceed 65°C.
This cargo shall not be loaded and shipped under the provisions of this schedule when
the temperature is in excess of 65°C, if its moisture content is in excess of 1.0%, or if
the quantity of fines and small particles (under 6.35 mm in size) exceeds 5% by weightor if the apparent density* is equal to or less than 5,000 kg/m3.
Appropriate precautions† shall be taken prior to and during loading in order to have athat the cargo be substantially composed of essentially whole and intact briquettes
with minimal presence of exposed or loose uncompacted pellets. The cargo shall beloaded in such a way so as to minimize breakage of briquettes and the additional
generation of fines and small particles (under 6.35 mm in size) and concentration offines in any area of the cargo and to minimize the presence of exposed or loose
uncompacted pellets and concentration thereof in any area of the cargo. The additionof fines and small particles (under 6.35 mm in size) or dust or loose pellets inhomogeneous cargoes of DRI (A) shall be prohibited.
——————————*Apparent density is the mass in air per volume, including both the solid and void spaces
within particles, but excluding the void spaces between particles. Apparent density of
hot briquetted direct reduced iron is determined according to ISO 15968:2016 "Direct
reduced iron -- Determination of apparent density and water absorption of hot briquettediron (HBI)".

†One example of an appropriate precaution is screening of the material to be loaded."

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Annex, page 2
Proposed draft amendments to the individual schedule for DRI (B)1Amend the text in the section for "Description" with the associated footnote as follows:"Direct reduced iron (DRI) (B) is a highly porous, black/grey metallic material formedby the reduction (removal of oxygen) of iron oxide at temperatures below the fusion
point of iron. Cold-moulded briquettes Cargoes in briquette form are defined as thosewith total iron (Fe) content of at least 88% by weight which have been moulded at atemperature less not greater than 650°C or which have a an apparent density* of lessnot greater than 5,000 kg/m3. Fines and small particles under 6.35 mm in size shallnot exceed 5% by weight.
——————————*

Apparent density is the mass in air per volume, including both the solid and void spaces
within particles, but excluding the void spaces between particles."Note 2: The sentences "Fines and small particles (under 6.35 mm) in size shall not exceed 5%
by weight" and "Fines and small particles under 6.35 mm in size shall not exceed 5%
by weight" in the sections for Description in the individual schedules for DRI (A) andDRI (B) are proposed to be deleted, for the reason that there are relevant mandatory
requirements in the sections for "Loading", and these sentences are superfluous.

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