委内瑞拉的海绵铁（DRI）矿粉含水量高，极易反应产生氢气，曾多次造成船舶爆炸。这种货物除了有可能发生爆炸以外，还容易液化，因此可运含水量（TML）和严格的取样检验都是必须的。值得注意的是，当地一般使用工厂交货（EXW）的条款，因此卖方的责任在货物装船时就结束。而且，当地的供货商并不是直接卖货给买方，而是通过中介或第三方来签合同。由于海绵铁矿粉的运输要求比较高（一般加氮气），因此运价要比铁矿粉要高很多。同时当地海绵铁的含铁量较一般的海绵铁低。因此，一些中间商经常将海绵铁矿粉误报为铁矿粉。而事实上，整个委内瑞拉只有FERROMINERA,C.A港是生产和销售铁矿粉的，其余地方一律没有。因此最好的预防措施是在签订租船合同时，注意装运港。只要不在FERROMINERA,C.A装运的，就不可能是铁矿粉。除此之外，会员还应在船到港前安排第三方检验员进行化学成分检验。详见附件。
DRI/Iron Ore Fines (Mis-declaration) – Venezuela (from UK)
Venezuelan DRI fines contain very high levels of moisture (i.e. water, up to 12%) that reacts with the DRI to produce hydrogen, which has been responsible for several devastating explosions in vessels in the past. Also, with such high moisture contents, there is a real risk that these cargoes will liquefy, and so the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) should also be demanded. For some reasons, some third party sellers or resellers on the international market often describe the cargo to be exported as Iron Ore Fines. Masters and Members should be aware that there is only one terminal where Iron Ore Fines are produced and sold. This is the FERROMINERA, C.A terminal. The best prevention measure to take if the cargo under the C/P states iron ore fines is to check the terminal as soon as possible and if the terminal is not Ferrominera C.A. A further recommendation would be to appoint a suitable 3rd party surveyor that can take care of checking the cargo quality even before the vessels arrival in order to provide timely advice to the Master and Owners. Details please refer to attached Circular.
