News

Distillers Dried Grains With Solubles (DDGS)

26 April 2012 No.617
This cargo is the dry solid residue left after the production of bioethanol by fermentation of grain such as maize (corn). It has value as an ingredient in animal feeds because it has useful proteins, fibre and oil content.

Over the last few years, DDGS has become a relatively highly traded commodity out of ports in the US.

The general make-up of DDGS is similar to other commodities which come under the Seed Cake schedule.

A series of tests was carried out in the US to study the behaviour of DDGS under laboratory conditions. These tests showed that the DDGS samples studied did not meet the criteria for being hazardous.

The US Coast Guard issued an exemption in regard of the carriage of DDGS and submitted a proposal to IMO to have a new schedule in the IMSBC Code, a copy of which is attached.

That schedule came into force on a voluntary basis (i.e. it can be voluntarily adopted by IMO member governments) on 1st January 2012 and becomes a full part of the IMSBC Code on 1st January 2013.

If a member is unsure whether the relevant authorities of their Flag State have adopted the amendments to the Code as of 1st January 2012, we would recommend that they clarify this. If the relevant authorities have not yet adopted the amendment, for the time being the procedures in the IMSBC Code under section 1.3 or 1.5 should be followed if the cargo is to be carried as a Group C cargo.

The schedule states that the moisture content must be no more than 13% and the oil no more than 11%. We recommend that a vessel proposing to load a cargo should request documentation to confirm that this is the case.

Provided these conditions are met, the cargo can be carried as a Group C (non-chemically hazardous) cargo. Note should be taken of the need to keep the cargo dry and not load or discharge during rainfall. Any cargo which is obviously wet should not be loaded.

If there is any sign during a voyage that a cargo of DDGS is self- heating, the hold should be sealed tightly closed and all ventilation withheld. Relevant persons at the discharge port should be informed.

(Source of Information: Brookes Bell)