【Ferro-alloys.com】:Mark Dunbar, Surveys Manager at West P&I, has said that the Club had been advised that iron ore exports were 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.

He noted that mining activity and export of iron ore was banned by the Indian government in late 2012.

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, which said Dunbar meant that fully representative sampling of static stockpiles for laboratory testing was not possible. Fully representative samples can only be obtained with a cargo being moved.

Members were therefore advised to be cautious when fixed to load iron ore fines from Goa or other ports in the west of India.

A surveyor should appointed in good time to ensure that all local and international requirements, including full compliance with those under the IMSBC Code, relating to the loading, stowing, carriage and discharge of iron ore cargoes loaded at Indian ports.

• [Editor:Alakay]