Large supplies, sharp fall in prices...

Global economic growth proved more resilient than expected last year amid significant monetary tightening and policy uncertainties worldwide, even as multiple shocks, arising from war, escalating conflicts, disrupted energy and goods supply chains. The effects of climate change wrought havoc on the lives and livelihoods of millions, further jeopardizing progress towards sustainable development. Several large developed economies showed remarkable resilience, with robust labour markets supporting consumer spending despite sharp monetary tightening. At the same time, inflation gradually declined in most regions on the back of lower energy and food prices, allowing central banks to slow or pause interest rate hikes. Earlier this year, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast global growth to remain steady at 3.1% in 2024 and to 3.2% in 2025.

PRICES DECLINE ACROSS GRAINS/OILSEED COMPLEX

Agricultural markets functioned despite the presence of external shocks including shipping disruptions amid farmers’ unrest in several countries, who face difficulties in covering escalating costs for inputs like energy, fertilizers and transport. Profitability concerns more evident following sharp falls in grains and oilseeds prices reaching their lowest levels for two years.

Higher Output For Wheat Rising To 798mt In 2024

The International Grains Council (IGC) forecast global wheat production to increase by 1% to 798mt (million tonnes) in 2024/25 driven by higher production in exporting countries. While the total area planted is forecast to fall due to lower prices and unfavourable conditions in some regions, higher yields are expected to support the growth in global output.

Wheat Conditions Improve In The Us And Canada

Lower prices led to a fall in US winter wheat plantings from 49.6 to 47m/acres

With fewer planted acres and more typical yields of 49.5bu/acre, production is expected to rise to 51.7mt in 2024/25,the largest harvest in five years, following two years of severe drought in the Southern Plains. Canada’s wheat area, is forecast at 8.2m/ha — yields c.3.6 t/ha and wheat output 28.5mt. The increase in durum wheat acreage to 2.5m/ha with output 5.4mt.

Eu Soft Wheat Crop Revised Lower 134mt

Heavy rains disrupted sowings of the winter wheat crop, especially in France and Germany-the total wheat area to decline moderately in 2024. AgriMer confirmed the soft wheat crop in France was the worst in four years. Strategie Grains cut EU soft wheat output by 1mt to 121.6mt in 2024/25.

Wheat Acreage Lower In Ukraine

In March, the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) drew attention to the ongoing plight of over 11m people in Ukraine who are in need of food security and livelihood intervention in 2024. The ongoing conflict continues to obstruct access to fields imposing severe financial constraints on farmers limiting profitability. The area planted to wheat is estimated to have fallen with output forecast at 24.5mt. The same applies to other feed grains. Ukraine’s Agriculture Ministry forecast lower corn acres at 3.86m/ha, citing shortages of labour, inputs and transport.

RUSSIA CROP 90MT — KAZAKHSTAN 13MT

Russian Federation, favourable weather conditions, with the Russian wheat crop forecast at 90mt, Kazakhstan 12mt in 2024. IKAR forecast Russian wheat output at 93mt

RISE IN CHINA’S SUPPORT PRICE

A rise in the minimum price for wheat in China coupled with strong domestic demand, expected to increase wheat plantings in 2024 with crop output pegged at 139mt.

HEAVY RAINS THREATEN INDIA’S WHEAT/ RECORD PLANTINGS IN PAKISTAN 2024

Recent reports for India suggest the potential 110mt wheat crop may be revised lower, due to heavy rain, hailstorms, that have caused damage, including notable lodging in some of the main producing areas. Pakistan relies heavily on irrigation water, so ample water supply and record plantings suggests strong wheat harvest of 29mt in 2024.

North Africa

Widespread rainfall shortages and high temperatures expected to reduce output in North Africa.

LARGE AUSTRALIAN WHEAT CROP 28–30MT

Above average summer rainfall boosted soil moisture levels across most cropping regions in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. In Western Australia, an expected return to more neutral seasonal conditions. Abares forecast wheat production to reach 28–30mt.

STRONG ‘LA NIÑA’ PROJECTED FOR AUTUMN AND WINTER 2024

El Niño – Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is evident in the tropical Pacific, but signs are pointing to a quick transition to neutral conditions by April-June with La Niña established in July. A very strong La Niña event is projected for autumn and winter 2024.

NEAR RECORD CROP IN 2023/24

Global wheat crop is forecast at 787mt in 2023/24. Better crops in India, US and

*Argentina, Australia, Canada, US, EU, Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine GLOBAL

Source: IGC, FAO, USDA-Production-mainly harvested Jul-Dec/Local marketing years

Argentina. Global wheat use pegged at 799mt, driven by feed use rising by 8mt to162mt with global food use at 637mt static. A steep fall in wheat prices beginning in February 2024, made feed wheat more competitive than corn.

Argentine Gains Access To Chinese Wheat Market

Argentina, is now able to export wheat to China following approval by Chinese custom authorities. Wheat exports from Russia 51mt, EU 37mt, Canada 24mt Australia 23.5mt and US 19.5mt contribute to global trade marginally lower at 215mt. With wheat imports into EU 9mt, China 10mt, Morocco 7.5mt, Saudi Arabia 4.5mt, Iraq 3.5mt and Pakistan 3mt.

Red Sea Disruptions Increase Costs

Trade disruptions in the Red Sea further challenged grains and oilseeds as shipping companies divert more vessels away from the Suez Canal to avoid attacks. Ship diversions increase costs and cause delays as they take a longer route via the Cape of Good Hope to ensure the safe transit of grain/oilseed crops and could impact other farm inputs. Some shippers suggest the diversions could extend into the second half of 2024.

ASIAN BUYERS SWITCH TO FEED WHEAT

For most of the season, feed wheat into Asia and elsewhere was not competitive with corn, but as more Black Sea supplies emerged, prices fell and from February ’24, wheat became competitive; feed buyers from South Korea and Thailand paid c.$245–246/t C&F (cost and freight); the Algerian agency OAIC purchased c.870–900k/t of wheat at prices $227–228/t CIF (cost, insurance, freight), mainly Black Sea origin. In March ’ 24, some Asian feed companies confirmed in their view corn prices will firm and wheat will be bearish so they plan to substitute corn for feed wheat. “… There could be more substitutions in the months to come,” said a South Korean feed miller, “…the uncertainty of Brazilian weather ahead of Safrinha corn planting does not encourage a break in this trend.”

Weak Wheat Futures

Futures markets at lows in February continued downwards in March weighed by poor exports, strong competition and continued bearish sentiment following China’s cancellation of US wheat 500k/t and the postponement/cancellation of 1mt from Australia and unconfirmed amounts of French wheat. US wheat futures for all classes were lower. MGEX Hard Red Spring wheat (HRS) futures fell to $6.47/bu ($237.73), KCBT Hard Red Winter wheat (HRW) $5.66/bu ($207.97); CBOT May Soft Red Winter wheat (SRW) $5.28/bu ($194.08) — 15 March 2024.

US CORN ACREAGE LOWER IN 2024/25

USDA forecast US farmers to reduce the planted acreage for corn by 2.4m/acres to 91m/acres in 2024, but with yields of 181/bu/acre and favourable weather conditions corn output to improve forecast at 382mt.

Higher domestic use food/seed/ ethanol 173mt (ethanol 137mt) based on slightly higher fuel consumption and continued strength in ethanol exports. Feed and residual use is pegged 1% higher at 146mt, reflecting higher supplies and lower prices during the year. Exports rise to 54.6mt on expectations of modest global trade growth. End stocks are projected at 64.3mt.

STRONG DEMAND FOR BIOFUELS IN 2024/25

Global coarse grain consumption is forecast to increase strongly in 2024/25. An ongoing recovery in global biofuel demand is expected to outweigh softening feed demand in China due to the reduction in the pig herd. Additionally, lower global corn prices are expected to reduce input costs for ethanol, incentivizing major corn producing countries, like the US and Brazil, to produce more biofuels.

GLOBAL COARSE GRAIN SUPPLY & DEMAND 2019–2023/24 (MT)

Source: USDA -*Argentine, Australia, Brazil, Canada, EU, Russia, Ukraine, US

1The IGC in January raised their estimate of China’s corn stocks from 76.2mt to 190.6mt by the end of 2017/18

SUBSTANTIAL HIKE IN COARSE GRAIN OUTPUT IN 2023/24

Global coarse grain output is forecast by USDA to rise to a record 1.5bn/t, boosted by a substantial corn crop c.390mt and larger sorghum crop to offset lower barley output. Record production, large stocks and recent developments in the wheat market contributed to a near one-third decline in corn export prices since the turn of the year.

Lower prices for coarse grains encouraged demand for food, feed and biofuels, anticipated to rise by 40mt to 1.49bn/t. Feed use 914mt and food/seed/ industry 578mt. Global trade at 238mt, with coarse grain stocks forecast to rise to 346mt (world 134mt, China 212mt) by the end of 2023/24. Changes in world feed use will depend on supply and relative prices of substitute feed grains like barley and corn. Feed grain consumption is forecast to increase due to higher meat and dairy production. Meanwhile slower world economic growth and high global inflation, pressures on disposable incomes, are assumed to weigh on demand in some importing countries.

South Africa Corn Output To Fall

Recent rainfall deficits have sharply dented yield prospects and the country’s 2023/24 corn output is forecast to drop to a nearaverage level, below earlier expectations. Dry weather conditions are affecting neighbouring countries.

ARGENTINE CORN OUTPUT 56MT IN 2023/24

Improved weather in Argentina boosted expectations for corn output with harvest of the late planted corn underway.

Brazil Safrinha Crop Acreage Lower

Planting of Brazil’s main corn crop (safrinha), represents three quarters of annual production-output is expected to be 8% lower due to higher costs and falling corn prices, which reduced acreage and plantings. Drought in northern Brazil in March/April is not unusual during the last decade. While climate guidance remains warm and dry for north central Brazil — the drought experienced in September — December is forecast to return and would be negative for winter corn. CONAB lowered projections for Brazil’s corn output (Mar 12) to 112.7mt, while USDA’s current estimate for Brazil’s corn (Mar 12) remains unchanged at 124mt.

GLOBAL CORN CROP 1.2BN IN 2023/24

Global corn crop is anticipated to rise to 1.2bn/t, subject to South America output, and boosted by a huge US corn crop c.390mt. Following last year’s drought crop recovery in Argentina 56mt and in China 289mt. In the US corn consumption is expected to rise by11mt on increased corn for feed and ethanol production. New developments and plants in the US and Brazil are driving the use of corn for ethanol. In Brazil corn competes with sugar cane for ethanol production, although corn use provides ethanol and also the valuable feed by-product Distillers Dried Grains (DDGs).

Strong Demand For Corn

Demand for feed in the US increased this season by 5mt due to drought, which cut pasture availability. Corn feed use is also forecast to rise in China 7mt, EU 2.4mt, Argentina 2.4mt, Egypt 2.1mt, Brazil 2mt and in a number of other countries

US ETHANOL INDUSTRY AND SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL (SAF)

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CHINA’S APPETITE GROWS FOR COARSE GRAINS

Despite the prospect of a large Chinese domestic coarse grain harvest of 297mt in 2023/24, has not dented China’s appetite for imports of 40mt of coarse grains (corn 23mt, barley 9mt, sorghum 8mt) supports insufficient domestic feed availability and efforts to reduce the inclusion of soymeal in animal feed. The US was a regular supplier to China, but since May ‘22, a new phytosanitary agreement enabled corn trade to take place between Brazil and China, since then US corn exports to China have shrunk to 1.7mt.

Consumers Changing Habits

China’s pig population is forecast to contract in 2024, following a decline in the sow herd from 41m/head to 39m/head. This is likely to lead to an increase in pigmeat exports to China as domestic pig production contracts. Domestic demand has picked-up amongst Chinese consumers, though the slow economic recovery postCovid, global inflation increasing the cost of living-consumers are choosing to eat out more but spent less in 2023.

Strong Demand For Corn In Mexico And China Boosts Imports

Strong consumer demand for livestock products continues to support feed use in Mexico, with corn imports forecast to rise to 20.6mt in 2023/24. An ongoing drought and reduced water availability for irrigated winter corn also hindered Mexico’s domestic corn supplies this season, fuelling imports. China’s corn imports forecast at 23mt to support the livestock industry.

GLOBAL SUPPLY & DEMAND OF MAJOR OILSEEDS 2019–2023/24 (MT)

CORN STOCKS RISE IN 2023/24

With larger southern hemisphere crops anticipated global corn stocks to rise from 301mt to 319mt in 2023/24 (World 107mt China 212mt) with major exporter stocks forecast at 68mt implies a 10mt increase over the previous year.

Large Supplies Pressure Prices

Record US corn production in 2023 and increased stocks contributed to a substantial fall in global corn prices. China is believed to have purchased corn from Ukraine 60–65k/t on 6 Mar ’24 at $236/t C&F for delivery in April ‘24. The latest purchases are expected to be shipped via the Red Sea. CBOT March corn contract closed $4.36-6/bu ($171.91/t — 15 Mar). Indicative prices US 3YC Corn (Gulf) U$192/t, Brazil Feed Paranagua U$192/t, Argentina Feed (up-river) U$188/t (15 Mar ‘24). Prices considerably lower than last year.

WET WEATHER TO IMPROVE AUSTRALIA’S BARLEY YIELDS IN 2024/25

China A Key Market For Australian Barley

Barley production is forecast at a five-year low of 142mt in 2023/24, due to a smaller planted area and weaker yields. It also reflects adverse weather conditions in key exporting countries including Canada, the EU and Australia. China’s removal of tariffs on barley exports from Australia, has led to a significant increase in trade. China is expected to be a key market for Australia’s barley exports for the remainder of 2023/24 and 2024/25 due to a significant freight advantage compared to other exporters.

CHINA FORECAST TO IMPORT 7.8MT OF SORGHUM

Given low prices and poor demand, the barley area in 2024/25 is projected to fall to 46.8m/ha. Increased acreage in the EU 10.6m/ha offset by lower acreage in Ukraine 1.9m/ha, Russia 7.6m/ha, Canada 2.8m/ha, the lowest in six years. By contrast, Australia’s ministry of agriculture forecast domestic barley output to rise to 11.6mt in 2024/25 — wet weather conditions are expected to improve crop yields.

SOYBEANS MAJOR PRODUCERS 2019–2023/24 MT

Global sorghum production forecast to rise by 4mt to 59mt in 2023/24 mainly due to increased US output due to its droughtresistant properties. USDA reported the sale of 126,000/t of sorghum to China. In contrast to lack-lustre sales of US wheat and soybeans, sorghum is seeing tighter supplies. Demand for sorghum increased, exports pegged at 9.5mt with China forecast to import 7.8mt for animal feed and spirit distillation.

US SOYBEAN ACREAGE TO RISE IN 2024/25

USDA forecast significant increase in US soybean acreage, to 87.5m/acres, driven by strong demand for feed and biofuels. Soy crop of 122.5mt soy yields forecast at 52/bu/acre on 86.6m/harvested acresrepresenting an 8% increase on last season in 2024/25.

GLOBAL SUPPLY & DEMAND -MAJOR RECORD GLOBAL OILSEED OUTPUT IN 2023/24

Global oilseed production is forecast to rise to a record 659mt boosted by an improved outlook for soybeans 397mt, sunflower seed 55mt, groundnut 50mt, palm kernel 21mt and copra 6mt, slightly lower outturn for cottonseed 42mt and rapeseed 88mt. In March, StatCan forecast Canada’s rapeseed acreage at 21.39m/acre — declining prices, soil moisture deficit expected to lead to a fall in spring plantings.

BRAZIL’S

SOYA CROP LARGER OR SMALLER?

Soybean output provisionally forecast for the US122mt, Argentina 50mt and Brazil 155mt. Traders were expecting USDA to make a larger cut to Brazil’s soybean output, due to unfavourable weather conditions, subsequently confirmed in CONAB’s crop report for soybeans: Center-West yields well below expectations; South Rio-Grande do Sul — initially lacked rain, improving, but soy rust a concern; North East Maranhaõ, Piaui and Para soybeans sown later-rainfall favoured crop development. Based on this report CONAB cut Brazil’s output to 146.9mt, while USDA’s forecast 155mt is unchanged.

Oilseed Crush Rises To 541mt

The rise in global oilseed crushings increased output of global meal and oil. Feed consumption rising for meals by 9mt to 359mt; oil by 8mt to 218mt for industry/biofuels. In 2023, global exports of soybean meal have risen due to higher crushings for oils and meals.

GLOBAL OILSEEDS TRADE LOWER 200MT

Global oilseeds trade is forecast lower at 200mt, while the increase in soybean exports of 174mt is partially offset by lower exports of rapeseed and sunflower seed.

REVISED TRADE DATA REVEALS UPTICK IN CHINA’S SOYABEAN IMPORTS

USDA increased China’s soybean imports for 2022/23 by nearly 3.7mt to 104.5mt based on major exporters’ shipments to China versus reported imports in the marketing year 2022/23. For 2023/24 China’s soybean imports were raised by 3mt to105mt an increase of 500,000/t, based on recent trade data.

STOCKS BOOSTED BY RECORD OILSEED HARVEST IN 2023/24

On the back of a potential record oilseed harvest, global ending stocks are raised by 10mt in 2023/24 to 131mt (World 91mt China 40mt)

Straight Losses For Soybeans

In March, soybeans capped an eight straight week of losses on record global stockpiles and sluggish demand for exports. CBOT closed up $11.985/bu (15 Mar ‘24)

SLOWDOWN IN CHINA’S PORK PRODUCTION

An expected slowdown in pork production as key regions face a contraction in the sow herd notably in China, the US and some EU countries with trade expected to contract in the first half of 2024. “We’re looking at a soft market for pork exports, especially with the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea and Suez Canal complicating EU shipments to Asia,” says Chenjun Pan, senior analyst, Animal Protein at Rabobank.

Pork Production Is Anticipated To Decline 2024

Pork continues to be a staple protein, and a slight improvement in global pork consumption is anticipated in 2024. And while some regions grapple with declining herds, ASF outbreaks and loss-making pressures that accelerate breeding herd reductions particularly in China — disease outbreaks are expected to create ongoing uncertainty in 2024.

Swine production in China is expected to decline in 2024. With fewer inefficient sows, the piglets weaned per sow per year has improved. But this improvement is unlikely to offset the lower average sow inventory in 2023. More small and medium-sized producers exited the market due to inadequate cash flows and challenges in obtaining loans. With less swine production from smaller producers, China’s National Bureau of Statistics estimates, the share of large-scale swine producers versus small to mid-sized producers exceed 68% in 2023 with a yearon-year increase of 3%.

Haver & Boecker Niagara offers the Scarabaeus pelletizing disc to enhance the productivity and profits of mining operations. The cutting-edge processing technology allows operations to sustainably produce iron ore pellets by reducing CO2 emissions while providing heightened efficiency with a 97% production rate of pure iron. The Scarabaeus technology effortlessly pelletizes fine materials to improve their storage and transportation properties, while increasing their market value. The machine seamlessly fits into an operation by offering adjustable inclination, speed and side wall height to best fit applicational requirements.

“We strive to innovatively find and meet the needs of our customers by offering a full-service of customizable mineral processing solutions,” said Jan Lampke, Haver & Boecker Niagara head of sales and projects. “The Scarabaeus pelletizing disc is exactly that. The mining industry is up against several challenges, especially in terms of sustainability, which is why our engineers strategically designed the technology to improve and address these issues while minimizing the environmental impact.”

The Scarabaeus pelletizing disc is available in a variety of sizes ranging from 3.2 feet to 24.6 feet (1,000mm to 7,500mm). It features a unique design that optimizes speed and movement to produce high-quality pellet materials. The machine applies a rotating movement combined with water as a liquid-binding agent on the surface of the disc. The selected material enters the surface of the disc and is pulled along the uppermost side to eventually collect in pellet form in a material bed. The Scarabaeus 7500 generates a particle distribution of 10–14mm, at up to 150 tonnes per hour. The compact pellet size aids in the direct reduction process which helps to improve sustainability by reducing CO2 emissions. To ensure an optimum operating system, the parameters of the disc can be automatically adjusted during operation by changing the speed, inclination, mass flow rate and rim height. This feature also helps to minimize recirculation of over- or undersized pellets.

The processing technology is ideal for a variety of applications, from processing different types of ore and fertilizer to salt and fines.

“We saw a need for a more energyefficient technology and the rising concern of high-operational costs, so we engineered a solution,” Lampke said.

The Scarabaeus 7500 pelletizing disc serves as a critical part of PROcheck, Haver & Boecker Niagara’s comprehensive service process is dedicated to keeping customers’ operations running to the best of their ability. PROcheck applies Haver & Boecker Niagara’s extensive knowledge in diagnostics, processing equipment, engineered screen media, original parts, rebuilds and upgrades, services, plants and process engineering to inspect customers’ screening processes in order to recommend best practices for processing proficiency. An evaluation can be completed quickly, and, if necessary, even while equipment is operating.

ABOUT HAVER & BOECKER NIAGARA

Haver & Boecker Niagara is a leading provider in screening, pelletizing and mineral processing plants and systems. The company’s mission is to deliver the best of these technologies to customers in the mining, minerals, aggregates, cement, building products, fertilizer and salt and recycling industries. With deep roots and years of experience in these industries, Haver & Boecker Niagara uses its innovative and shared technologies to effectively meet the needs of customers around the world.

Steel coils come in various sizes and weights, making it challenging for ship managers and operators to assess whether their vessels are suitable for a proposed shipment. DNV’s new Steel Load Planner app helps ship operators to overcome this challenge, while providing a range of other benefits.

The launch of DNV’s Steel Load Planner marks a major breakthrough by significantly simplifying and optimizing the complex process of steel coil loading. The innovative app — which won the IT Solutions Award at the International Bulk Journal Awards in London in November 2023 — revolutionizes the process for customizing vessel loading plans to accommodate diverse steel coil dimensions. By enabling swift calculations for optimized cargo intake, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mitigating the risk of maritime accidents, the Steel Load Planner heralds a new era in safe and efficient sea freight operations.

Complexity Of Coil Load Distribution

Steel coils of various weights and sizes are typically loaded on wooden dunnage, with their axis oriented in the ship’s longitudinal direction. The weight of the steel coils is transferred by the dunnage onto the bottom structure of the vessel.

The force of this weight is not distributed uniformly across the tank top but is transferred as concentrated loads through the dunnage. This means that the permissible uniform distributed load information in tonnes per square metre (t/m²) — as provided in a ship’s loading manual – cannot be used as a basis for determining the maximum load when carrying steel coils, making basic steelloading methods problematic.

Customer Collaboration Drives Development Of Steel Load Planner App

With cargo planners needing reliable information to determine quickly whether a given type of steel coil could be transported by their vessel, many fleet managers have approached DNV for a better solution.

Steel Coils Lowered In Cargo Hold

“We have been receiving a lot of requests from different customers to evaluate their loading plans,” explains Tatiana Tzeferakou, Head of Section, ERS Hull and Materials at DNV. “It would normally take about three weeks to confirm because we would need to model each cargo hold of every vessel.”

Previous Solution Lacks Flexibility

Prior to 2023, common industry practice has been for customers to evaluate predefined coil arrangements on steel coil loading tables, usually based on spreadsheets. However, this is still relatively time consuming and lacks the flexibility of calculating loading arrangements for diverse steel coils.

“Our customers — mainly operating geared bulk carriers and general cargo ships that can carry steel coils — needed more flexibility as these coils come in different weights and sizes,” explains Tzeferakou. “They were looking for a solution that provides guidance on optimal vessel-loading techniques and cargo hold optimization, for diverse steel coil loads.”

COMPLEXITY OF STEEL LOADING LEADS TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE STEEL LOAD PLANNER APP

The increasing complexity of these requirements drove the development of DNV’s Steel Load Planner — a userfriendly app that can be used to customize a vessel’s loading plan for steel coils of any size. Key to the functionality of the app is the ability to test, update and confirm tailor-made loading plans for diverse steel coil loads instantly.

Steel Coil App

“The Steel Load Planner app can be used for all kinds of steel coil types. There’s no limit to the variety of steel coils you can incorporate and you can mix and match various lengths, diameters and weights as needed. Now it is also possible to have full, half or quarter tiers and even reduce the load on weaker structural members, such as the duct keel, if needed,” continues Tzeferakou. “This enables cargo planners to create custom loading plans with a high degree of flexibility.”

App Can Be Used With A Few Simple Steps

Before using the Steel Load Planner app for the first time, customers need to send DNV key information about the relevant dimensions and characteristics of their vessels. This is then pre-programmed into the app, saving time and effort at a later stage. With the app already familiar with a vessel’s structure, customers will then manually input the specific steel coil data for their next shipment.

“It’s a few simple steps,” says Tzeferakou. “They create the shipment in the application and describe the different coils by length, diameter and weight, noting how many of them they have. Then they enter the cargo hold and utilize the ‘tier arrangement’ function to arrange the steel coils based on their preferences. This can be done manually or by using predefined arrangement plans in the application.”

Advantages Of The Slp App

Using the Steel Load Planner app provides customers with instant results, saving valuable time. However, the benefits go far beyond this, mainly due to the load optimization which is facilitated by the app.

“After entering their inputs, the app generates a report confirming rule compliance, ensuring sufficient capacity of the plate and stiffener,” explains Tzeferakou. “Additionally, the report indicates the percentage of optimization achieved. A 100% optimization signifies the best possible loading. Anything below 100% indicates reserve capacity, allowing for the addition of more coils, or a reduction in the amount of dunnage used."

Increased Cargo Loads Provides Multiple Benefits

Early data shows that this optimization benefit is enabling vessels to increase cargo loads by up to 10%.

“This benefits all parties,” says Tzeferakou. “For the customers, increased cargo loads means more revenue. For the environment, this means less fuel consumption and fewer emissions per ton. So it’s both environmentally friendly and highly cost-effective, especially with the EU carbon pricing scheme just around the corner.”

Steel Load Planner App Expected To Become Industry Norm

Safety benefits are also attractive to customers. By optimizing loads according to regulations and broader safety standards, this service offers users the assurance that their vessel isn’t overloaded, reducing the risk of accidents and incidents.

“With a wide range of benefits, such as instant verification, load flexibility, increased cargo load, reduced emissions and increased safety, the Steel Load Planner is going to be a real game changer for our customers,” concludes Tzeferakou. “We expect this to become the norm in the industry very soon.”

By Tatiana Tzeferakou, Head of Section - ERS, Hull and Materials, DNV

Steel coils come in various sizes and weights, making it challenging for ship managers and operators to assess whether their vessels are suitable for a proposed shipment. DNV’s new Steel Load Planner app helps ship operators to overcome this challenge, while providing a range of other benefits.

Haver & Boecker Niagara offers the Scarabaeus pelletizing disc to enhance the productivity and profits of mining operations. The cutting-edge processing technology allows operations to sustainably produce iron ore pellets by reducing CO2 emissions while providing heightened efficiency with a 97% production rate of pure iron. The Scarabaeus technology effortlessly pelletizes fine materials to improve their storage and transportation properties, while increasing their market value. The machine seamlessly fits into an operation by offering adjustable inclination, speed and side wall height to best fit applicational requirements.

Steel coils come in various sizes and weights, making it challenging for ship managers and operators to assess whether their vessels are suitable for a proposed shipment. DNV’s new Steel Load Planner app helps ship operators to overcome this challenge, while providing a range of other benefits.

“With a wide range of benefits, such as instant verification, load flexibility, increased cargo load, reduced emissions and increased safety, the Steel Load Planner is going to be a real game changer for our customers,” concludes Tzeferakou. “We expect this to become the norm in the industry very soon.”

“With a wide range of benefits, such as instant verification, load flexibility, increased cargo load, reduced emissions and increased safety, the Steel Load Planner is going to be a real game changer for our customers,” concludes Tzeferakou. “We expect this to become the norm in the industry very soon.”

“With a wide range of benefits, such as instant verification, load flexibility, increased cargo load, reduced emissions and increased safety, the Steel Load Planner is going to be a real game changer for our customers,” concludes Tzeferakou. “We expect this to become the norm in the industry very soon.”

“With a wide range of benefits, such as instant verification, load flexibility, increased cargo load, reduced emissions and increased safety, the Steel Load Planner is going to be a real game changer for our customers,” concludes Tzeferakou. “We expect this to become the norm in the industry very soon.”

“With a wide range of benefits, such as instant verification, load flexibility, increased cargo load, reduced emissions and increased safety, the Steel Load Planner is going to be a real game changer for our customers,” concludes Tzeferakou. “We expect this to become the norm in the industry very soon.”