Australia

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has recently issued an Exemption Certificate to give effect to the voluntary implementation as States are invited to do in DSC.1/Circ.71, which can be found on the AMSA website here

As a result, shippers of iron ore and iron ore fines from Australia may use the new IOF Schedule, modified P/F test method and amended iron ore Schedule as though they are already included in the current version of the IMSBC Code. For IOF cargoes, it is expected that certain shippers in Australia will use this exemption.

The International Group is aware that one major shipper of IOF from Australia is already using the modified P/F test to determine the TML of their newly categorised Group A IOF cargoes.

Brazil

The Brazilian Maritime Authority issued Circular No. 390/DPC on 23 December 2013 confirming that the new (draft) IOF Schedule, modified P/F test and amended iron ore Schedule would become effective in Brazil on 27 December 2013 as per the terms of the Circular.

The International Group understands that, in the case of Vale, they have now re-categorised their IOF cargoes mined from Carajas, Brazil as Group A cargoes and are using the modified P/F test method accordingly.

Practical Considerations

For cargoes that are classified as Group A under the IMSBC Code, including where early effect has been given to the new IOF Schedule and the modified P/F method, a cargo declaration accompanied by a signed test certificate(s) should be provided by the shipper to the Master prior to loading evidencing the moisture content (MC) of the cargo at the time of shipment and the transportable moisture limit (TML). The TML is defined in the Code as the maximum MC of the cargo which is considered safe for carriage, and any cargo with a MC in excess of the TML should not be accepted for loading unless the ship is “specially constructed” or “specially fitted” for this purpose. The declaration of MC shall contain, or be accompanied by, a statement by the shipper that the MC is, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the average MC of the cargo at the time the declaration is presented to the Master.

If a cargo of IOF is to be carried as Group C iron ore on the basis that the goethite content is 35% or more by mass, the shipper should provide the Master with a declaration regarding the goethite content of the cargo prior to loading.

At present, it would appear that only Australia and Brazil have given early effect to the new IOF Schedule and IOF test method, although the existing test methods contained in Appendix 2 of the IMSBC Code still remain valid for use in these two jurisdictions as well.

If a Master is presented with a cargo declaration by the shipper based on the new IOF Schedule and IOF test method, then any guidance from the Club should be sought before loading, especially if the competent authority in the country of loading has not yet given effect to the new Schedule and test method in accordance with DSC.1/Circ.71.

If there is any doubt with regard to an IMSBC cargo declaration for IOF from a shipper based on the new Schedule or modified P/F test, or with regard to categorisation based on particle size goethite content or TML determined using the new test method, further guidance should be sought from the Club.