LaycanDeskNorway to India olivine sand freight - Aheim to Tuticorin, Kandla and West Coast India
Natural high-magnesium olivine sand and rock flux from Sibelco Aheim into Indian blast furnaces and foundries on geared Supramax tonnage via the Cape. Åheim (Raubergvik) to Tuticorin, Kandla, Mundra and Hazira: natural olivine rock and sand (48–50% MgO, low LOI < 1.0%) in 40,000 to 55,000 tonne bulk cargoes on geared Supramax and Ultramax tonnage, providing essential metallurgical slag conditioning for Indian steel giants.
The world's premier commercial deposit of high-purity dunite / forsterite olivine is located at Åheim (Møre og Romsdal) on the Norwegian west coast, operated by Sibelco Nordic. India's integrated steelmakers—led by JSW Steel (Vijayanagar and Dolvi plants) and Tata Steel (Jamshedpur and Kalinganagar)—import hundreds of thousands of tonnes of Norwegian olivine sand and lump annually. In blast furnace ironmaking and sinter plant operations, olivine acts as a superior MgO slag conditioner and pellet binder, replacing dolomitic limestone to reduce coke consumption, suppress CO2 emissions, improve slag fluidity, and lower alkali attack on furnace refractory linings.
The shipping route operates from Sibelco's dedicated Raubergvik deepwater fjord terminal (which offers up to 14.5m draft in sheltered Norwegian waters and high-speed conveyor shiploading at 1,000–1,500 MT/hour) across 9,500 to 10,800 nautical miles around the Cape of Good Hope into the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Olivine has a dense stowage factor (~0.65 MT/cbm or 22–26 cu.ft/MT) and is non-hazardous under IMSBC Code Group C. Supramaxes and Ultramaxes of 50,000 to 60,000 DWT equipped with 4 x 30 MT cranes and grabs load prompt full stems, discharging at Tuticorin, Kandla, or Jaigad Port at 8,000 to 12,000 MT/day. Charterers specify sizing (0-3mm sand, 3-6mm grit, or 10-40mm lump), laycan, and declared receiver of record. We work by email.
Load ports
- Åheim / Raubergvik (Norway, sheltered fjord, 14.5 m draft)
- High-speed conveyor loader (1,000–1,500 t/hour)
- Year-round ice-free deepwater berths
Discharge ports
- Tuticorin / V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tamil Nadu, 14.2 m draft)
- Kandla / Mundra (Gujarat, deepwater & tidal berths)
- Jaigad / Dharamtar (serving JSW Steel Dolvi & Vijayanagar)
- Paradip / Haldia (serving Tata Steel Kalinganagar/Jamshedpur)
Typical parcels
- Natural olivine bulk 40,000–55,000 t 10% MOLOO, Supramax
- High-purity MgO 48.0–50.0%, SiO2 40–42%, Fe2O3 7–8%, LOI < 1.0%
- Stowage factor ~22–25 cu.ft/MT (0.65 t/cbm), IMSBC Group C
- Discharge rate 8,000–12,000 t/day PWWD SHINC
Ships that carry it
The cargo itself, on Commbril
Questions charterers and owners ask
Why do Indian steelmakers import Norwegian olivine rather than local dolomite?
Indian iron ores carry high alumina (Al2O3 2.0–3.5%), which makes blast furnace slag viscous. Norwegian olivine provides 48–50% MgO with low silica and near-zero CO2 calcination loss (unlike raw dolomite which is 45% CO2), saving 10–15 kg coke per tonne of hot metal.
What vessel sizes and drafts work at Sibelco Raubergvik?
Raubergvik terminal in Åheim accommodates Handysize, Supramax, and Panamax vessels up to 200m LOA and 14.5m draft in sheltered deepwater fjord conditions, loading at 1,000 to 1,500 MT per hour via automated conveyor systems.
Why does olivine freight route via the Cape of Good Hope?
Due to ongoing Suez Canal / Red Sea risk premiums and canal transit tolls, deep-sea bulk mineral charterers route Supramaxes laden with olivine around the Cape of Good Hope (approx. 28–30 steaming days), ensuring predictable freight and zero war risk add-ons.
What must I send to get a named ship?
Material grade and granulometry (0-3mm sand vs 10-40mm lump), quantity and tolerance, loading laycan at Åheim, discharge port and draft restriction, discharge rate with laytime terms, commission, and declared charterer of record.