Barytes (barite, barium sulphate, BaSO4) is a moderate-volume dry bulk cargo, with global seaborne trade of approximately 3 to 5 million tonnes per year. The cargo serves principally as a weighting agent in oil and gas drilling muds (the dominant use) and as a feedstock for barium chemical manufacture (a smaller fraction). The IMSBC Code regulates barytes shipments under a Group C schedule with no major chemical hazards.
Schedule structure
The IMSBC Code includes the following barytes-related schedule entry:
- Barytes: bulk crushed barite mineral. Group C (not liquefiable, no chemical hazard).
- Barium nitrate (UN 1446): an oxidising chemical, separate hazardous material handling.
Most marine barytes trade is the mineral form for drilling mud use, classified Group C and handled under standard bulk procedures.
Cargo properties
Barytes is a dense white to brown mineral with very high specific gravity (4.5), making it ideal as a drilling mud weighting agent. The cargo is supplied as ground material with particle size typically below 75 micrometres for drilling mud applications. Bulk density is approximately 2.7 to 3.0 tonnes per cubic metre, with stowage factor of approximately 0.33 to 0.37 cubic metres per tonne — among the lowest of common bulk cargoes.
The cargo is non-toxic in its sulphate form (barium sulphate is the active ingredient in medical barium meal radiology and is not bioavailable), non-flammable, and non-self-heating. Standard bulk handling procedures apply.
Major exporters
Barytes seaborne trade flows include:
- China to global oil and gas markets: the dominant exporter, with approximately 40 to 50 per cent of global supply. Chinese export through several northern and eastern ports.
- India to Middle East and Asian oil and gas markets: significant exporter from Andhra Pradesh deposits.
- Morocco to European markets: Mediterranean export.
- United States to Latin America and selected international markets: Nevada and Texas production.
- Mexico to North American markets.
- Iran to selected markets: subject to sanctions complications.
- Kazakhstan and Russia to Asian markets: Caspian and Black Sea export.
The trade pattern closely tracks oil and gas drilling activity, with year-on-year variation tied to oil price cycles and drilling rig deployment.
Loading and discharge
Loading is by shore conveyor and shiploader. Loading rates of 1,000 to 3,000 tonnes per hour are typical. Hold preparation requires standard cleanliness and bilge clearance. The high cargo density concentrates load on the tank top and double bottom, similar to other dense mineral cargoes.
Discharge is by grab-fitted shore cranes at receiving oil and gas service terminals and chemical industry berths.
See also
- Iron Ore: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Manganese Ore: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
- Limestone: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage
Additional calculators:
- IMSBC Group A/B/C Classification
- IMSBC Angle of Repose
- Bulk Sulphur - Dust Explosion Risk
- IGC \u2014 Ammonia
Additional related wiki articles: