Published 29 April 2026

Brown Coal Briquettes: IMSBC Code Schedule and Carriage

Contents

Brown coal briquettes are a niche dry bulk cargo, with annual seaborne trade in the low millions of tonnes principally moving from Eastern European, German, and selected Asian producers to industrial and residential heating markets. Brown coal (lignite) is the lowest-rank coal type and is generally consumed at the mine mouth in dedicated power plants. Where it is exported, it is typically processed into briquettes — compressed shaped fuel pieces of standardised size — to improve handling characteristics and energy density. The IMSBC Code regulates brown coal briquettes under a Group B schedule reflecting the inherited self-heating and methane release hazards of all coal-family cargoes.

Schedule structure

The IMSBC Code includes the following brown coal-related schedule entries:

Brown coal briquettes: pressed shaped briquettes of compacted brown coal. Group B (self-heating).
Lignite (in some classifications): raw brown coal in lump or fines form. Group B with similar hazards.

The IMSBC Code coal schedule (covered in a separate article) covers higher-rank bituminous and sub-bituminous coals; the brown coal entries are distinct due to the higher reactivity and higher self-heating tendency of low-rank coals.

Cargo properties

Brown coal briquettes are produced by compressing dried lignite at elevated temperature and pressure into uniform shaped pieces, typically 50 to 100 millimetres on the largest dimension. The briquettes have moisture content of approximately 10 to 15 per cent, calorific value of approximately 20 to 22 megajoules per kilogram (significantly lower than bituminous coal), and bulk density of approximately 0.7 to 0.85 tonnes per cubic metre.

Compared to raw lump lignite, the briquetted form has improved handling characteristics, lower dust generation, and lower self-heating tendency due to the reduced surface area. However the underlying chemical reactivity of the brown coal feedstock means the briquettes still present significant marine carriage hazards.

Hazards

Brown coal briquettes present three principal carriage hazards similar to higher-rank coals but generally with elevated reactivity:

Self-heating: oxidation of the carbon and the residual lignin components is exothermic. Heat accumulation in compacted briquette cargoes can lead to spontaneous combustion. The IMSBC Code requires temperature and CO monitoring throughout the voyage.
Methane release: brown coal contains absorbed methane that is released slowly during the voyage. Hold atmosphere monitoring for methane is required, and ventilation procedures (typically surface ventilation) are prescribed.
Dust generation and ignition: brown coal dust is more reactive than bituminous coal dust and presents elevated explosion risk in confined handling spaces. Dust suppression at loading and discharge is required.

Major routes

Brown coal briquette seaborne trade is principally:

Germany (Lausitz and Rheinland coalfields) export of “Briketts” to European industrial and residential heating markets.
Australia (Latrobe Valley) export, although most Australian brown coal is consumed domestically.
Eastern European production for short-sea trade within the Black Sea region.

The total trade volume is small relative to bituminous and thermal coals, which dominate global coal seaborne trade. Brown coal briquettes are a specialty cargo serving residential heating markets in cold-climate countries that have built infrastructure for handling solid heating fuels.

Loading, voyage handling, and discharge

The cargo is loaded by shore conveyor and shiploader with dust suppression. Hold preparation is similar to other coal cargoes: cleanliness, weather-tightness, intact paint coatings. Hot work permits are suspended throughout loading, voyage, and discharge.

Voyage handling includes daily CO monitoring in each hold, methane monitoring during the first several days when methane evolution is highest, and surface ventilation as required.

Discharge is by grab-fitted shore cranes at receiving ports. Receiving ports are typically European Baltic and North Sea ports with established residential heating fuel distribution networks.