Sugar is a major dry bulk cargo, with global seaborne trade of approximately 60 to 65 million tonnes per year. The cargo is principally moved from major producing regions (Brazil, India, Thailand, Australia) to refining centres and consumer markets in the Middle East, China, Africa, and Europe. Most marine sugar trade is raw sugar (brown granular sugar from cane mills, transported to refineries for further processing) with a smaller volume of refined white sugar moving directly to consumer markets. The IMSBC Code regulates sugar shipments under a Group C schedule with handling requirements driven by hygroscopic caking and food-grade hold preparation requirements.
Schedule structure
The IMSBC Code includes the following sugar-related schedule entries:
- Sugar: bulk raw sugar, refined sugar, and brown sugar. Group C (not liquefiable, no chemical hazard).
The entry covers sugarcane and sugarbeet products with similar physical and handling characteristics.
Cargo properties
Raw sugar (the dominant marine cargo form) is supplied as brown granular crystalline material with particle size typically 1 to 3 millimetres. Bulk density is approximately 0.9 to 1.0 tonne per cubic metre, with stowage factor of approximately 1.0 to 1.1 cubic metres per tonne. Moisture content is typically 0.3 to 0.6 per cent at loading.
The cargo is non-toxic, non-flammable, and food-grade, with strict cleanliness requirements at loading and during voyage to prevent contamination. Specific handling concerns:
- Hygroscopic caking: sugar absorbs atmospheric moisture and forms hard cakes if exposed to humid conditions. Holds must be weather-tight; bilge wells must be inspected and dried; any moisture ingress can damage the cargo significantly.
- Food-grade hold preparation: sugar holds must be free of any prior cargo residues, oils, paints, or contaminants. Standard hold cleaning includes sweeping, washing, and drying, plus inspection for any residual material. Hold paint coatings must be food-grade certified or absent (bare steel).
- Insect infestation: sugar can attract weevils and other insects if storage is prolonged. Fumigation is sometimes performed before voyage.
- Compatibility with subsequent cargoes: sugar residues are difficult to remove and can ferment if any moisture remains, contaminating subsequent cargoes.
- Dust generation: minor compared to many other bulk cargoes.
Major routes
Sugar seaborne trade flows include:
- Brazil to global markets: Brazil is the world’s largest sugar exporter, with port export from Santos, Paranaguá, and Recife. Brazilian sugar comprises a high fraction of global trade.
- India to global markets: variable exporter depending on domestic production and policy.
- Thailand to Asian markets: significant exporter from Bangkok and Laem Chabang.
- Australia to Asian markets: Queensland and New South Wales export through Townsville, Bundaberg, and Mackay.
- European Union to selected markets: subject to substantial year-on-year variation.
Loading and discharge
Loading is by shore conveyor and shiploader. Hold preparation requires comprehensive cleaning, drying, and food-grade inspection. Loading rates of 1,500 to 3,500 tonnes per hour are typical.
Discharge is by grab-fitted shore cranes at receiving sugar refineries and distribution terminals. Some destinations have dedicated sugar refining berths with continuous unloaders for direct delivery to refinery silos.