Japanese shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has teamed up with Cyprus-based SMT Shipping on a joint study of ocean transportation of direct reduced iron (DRI).
Used in electric arc furnaces and blast furnaces, DRI is feed stock for steelmaking.
The global maritime group of companies SMT Shipping, involved in shipping and transshipment of dry bulk cargo with a fleet of over 65 vessels, is an expert in the carriage of DRI, according to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines release.
On the other hand, MOL has provided the global steel industry with marine transportation services for many years.
The MoU focuses on enhancing transport capacity of DRI with necessary safety measures. However, marine transportation of DRI requires specialized skills and care to prevent overheating.
“Under the MoU, MOL is committed to enhancing the transport capacity of DRI in order to address increasing demand with necessary safety measures in collaboration with SMT Shipping, thereby contributing to the steel industry’s efforts to reduce CO2 emissions,” MOL stated.
