The West P&I Club has been advised that iron ore exports are expected to restart from Goa and other west coast ports in India with first shipments expected in early October 2024 after the ending of the SW monsoon.
Mining activity and export of iron ore was banned in late 2012 by the Indian Government.
Mark Dunbar, Surveys Manager highlights that iron ore intended for export has been stockpiled with very large stockpiles being exposed to the elements for many years. Using excavators, sampling of iron ore fine stockpiles in India is limited to 3-metre-deep pits only, hence fully representative sampling of static stockpiles for laboratory testing is not possible.
Fully representative samples can only be obtained with a cargo being moved. Operators are therefore advised to be cautious when fixed to load iron ore fines from Goa or other ports in the west of India.
It is important that the provisions of the Club’s Notice to Operators Number 15 2013/2014 are carefully considered and a surveyor is appointed in good time to ensure that all local and international requirements including those under the IMSBC Code, relating to the loading, stowing, carriage and discharge of iron ore cargoes loaded at Indian ports are fully complied with.
