AEC moves forward with pig iron shipment from the Black Sea

AEC are specialists in the Pig Iron trade and recently loaded the MV IDC Diamond.

Pig Iron is an intermediate product of the iron ore smelting process and is produced from the first smelting of Iron Ore. Often now also used for the production of Grey Iron which is a type of Cast Iron with a graphitic microstructure.

In order to protect the tank top from damage AEC typically load Pig Iron by means of a skip that is lowered to the tank top before the cargo is tipped into the hold.

Below some pictures from the loading operation of IDC Diamond.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURES

Positive tones for South American grain exports

Argentina and Brazil are among the world’s top grain-producing and exporting countries.

With Argentina’s planting now complete and Brazil’s harvest steadily progressing, along with the fact that Brazil is set for another record soybean crop in 2017, the east coast south America (ECSA) grain season is expected to see a rise to healthier levels in the coming months as more cargoes come to port for shipment and tonnage supply struggles to keep up.

Argentina is the world’s 2nd largest exporter of corn and 2nd largest exporter of soyabean meal. It is also a major player in the world wheat market.

  • Argentina’s 2016-17 wheat production is forecast to be around 15.5 million tons (total supply of 16.5 million tons) of which around 9 million tons are expected to be exported which is up 800,000 tons from last year.
  • Argentina’s 2016-17 soyabean production is forecast to be around 58.8 million tons (total supply of 67.3 million tons) of which around 9 million tons are expected to be made available for export.
  • Argentina’s 2016-17 maize production is forecast to be around 39.8 million tons (total supply of 43.7 million tons) of which around 22.5 million tons are expected to be exported.

Brazil is the world’s largest exporter of soyabeans and also a key player in the world corn market.

The top growing state of Mato Grosso’s harvest has surged to 31 percent complete as compared to 14 percent last year in part due to an earlier than usual planting period.

  • Brazil’s 2016-17 soyabean production is forecast to be around 95.4 million tons (total supply of 97.4 million tons) of which around 51.6 million tons are expected to be exported.
  • Brazil’s 2016-17 corn production is forecast to be around 67 million tons (total supply of 78.2 million tons) of which around 16 million tons are expected for export.

Ryan Girling – Chartering

AEC continues to expand activities in the Amazon River Basin

In January, AEC time-chartered vessel MV Molat loaded Kaolin in bulk at Santarem in the Amazon River destined for Antwerp, Belgium.

Molat loading kaolin via spout at Santarem

The Kaolin is loaded in to the vessel’s holds via shore spouts.

Kaolin, a type of soft white clay rich in the mineral kaolinite, has various industrial uses including in the production of paint, rubber, cable insulation, and fertilizers. Kaolin is however most essential to the paper industry but is also used extensively in the ceramics industry primarily in the manufacturing of China, porcelain and refractories due to its natural heat resistant properties.

Jose Cavalieri – Operations