LaycanDeskCoal and petcoke bulk freight
Supramax and Panamax stems of thermal coal and petroleum coke, from Indonesian anchorages and the US Gulf to India, China and Türkiye. Freight for thermal coal and fuel-grade petroleum coke in bulk: barge and floating-crane loading at Indonesian anchorages, terminal loading in the US Gulf, self-heating and the IMSBC coal schedule, on Supramax and Panamax tonnage of 50,000 to 80,000 tonnes into India, China and Türkiye.
Coal is the largest dry cargo after iron ore and most of it moves in one of two ways. Indonesian coal loads at anchorage off Sumatra and Kalimantan from barges by floating crane or the ship's own grabs, at 8,000 to 20,000 tonnes a day depending on how many barges the shipper delivers, into geared Supramax and Ultramax tonnage of 50,000 to 60,000 tonnes; terminal cargoes from Australia, South Africa, Colombia and the US Gulf load by shiploader at 30,000 tonnes a day or more into gearless Panamax and Kamsarmax tonnage of 70,000 to 80,000 tonnes. Petcoke from US Gulf refineries follows the terminal route, mostly on Supramax and Panamax tonnage into India and Türkiye. Both are IMSBC Group B cargoes that can self-heat and give off methane: the coal schedule requires the shipper's declaration on self-heating and gas, temperature and gas monitoring on passage, and surface ventilation only. Moisture is deadweight the receiver pays freight on and a stability question for the master.
Send us the cargo with its IMSBC declaration and any moisture certificate, quantity with tolerance and option, load port or anchorage with the number of barges or cranes, discharge port with draft on the laycan and the rate, laycan, commission and the charterer's name. Anchorage stems go to owners of geared Supramax and Ultramax tonnage opening in Southeast Asia and India; terminal stems go to Panamax and Kamsarmax owners. The mine or refinery of origin is asked first and every counterparty is screened before an owner sees the stem. Positions from owners go on the board with gear, grabs and open dates, and each side hears from us only when the other fits.
How it ships
- Anchorage loading by barge and floating crane, 8,000–20,000 MT/day
- Terminal loading by shiploader
- IMSBC Group B: self-heating and methane declaration
- Temperature and gas monitoring, surface ventilation only
- Moisture declared; hold cleaning after petcoke
Load areas
- Indonesia (Sumatra and Kalimantan anchorages)
- US Gulf (Houston, New Orleans, Corpus Christi) petcoke
- Australia (Newcastle, Queensland)
- South Africa (Richards Bay)
Discharge areas
- India (Paradip, Vizag, Krishnapatnam, Mundra, Hazira)
- China and Southeast Asia
- Türkiye (Iskenderun, Aliaga) petcoke
- Bangladesh and Pakistan
Ships that carry it
The cargo itself, on Commbril
Questions charterers and owners ask
What does the IMSBC coal schedule ask of the shipper?
A cargo declaration stating whether the coal is liable to self-heat or to emit methane, its moisture and its size, so that the master can plan monitoring and ventilation. Owners will not load without it, and a petcoke cargo carries the same declaration. Put it in the enquiry and the ship is fixed faster.
How is anchorage loading in Indonesia priced?
On the loading rate and the number of barges or floating cranes the shipper supplies, which set how many days the ship sits at anchor. A stem that says 'two floating cranes, 15,000 tonnes a day' gets a real quote; one that gives only a tonnage gets a guess.
Supramax or Panamax: which is right for my coal?
Supramax and Ultramax for anchorage loading and for discharge ports without shore gear or with draft under about 12 metres, which covers most Indonesian and Indian business. Panamax and Kamsarmax for terminal-to-terminal cargoes of 70,000 tonnes and more into equipped ports.
Is petcoke treated differently from coal on board?
It is carried under its own IMSBC schedule but the practical points are the same: self-heating, moisture, and ventilation. Petcoke is dusty and dirty and owners price the hold cleaning after it, so the enquiry should say whether the charterer pays for cleaning.