Coal inspection
Turkey imports large volumes of thermal coal for power plants and coking coal for steel mills. The weight is fixed by draft survey; the price depends on quality, so sampling and analysis at discharge decide much of the final invoice.
Sampling
Samples are taken in small increments throughout discharge — from grabs, the conveyor or the stockpile — following the method named in the contract, usually ISO 13909 or ASTM D2234. Taking increments across the whole cargo matters more than taking many from one place: coal quality varies from hold to hold and layer to layer. The gross sample is reduced and divided into parts for the buyer, the seller and an umpire, sealed and signed.
What is analysed
- Total moisture, which lowers the useful energy and is often penalised above a limit.
- Calorific value (gross or net, as received or air dried), the main price parameter for thermal coal.
- Ash, volatile matter and sulphur, which affect boilers, emissions and coke quality.
- For coking coal also coking properties such as swelling index, and for both, size and Hardgrove grindability where the contract asks.
Analysis is done by an accredited laboratory. When buyer's and seller's results differ beyond the agreed tolerance, the sealed umpire sample decides.
Safety in the holds
Coal can heat by itself and can give off methane and carbon monoxide. Before and during discharge, surveyors and the crew check hold temperatures and gas readings, and nobody enters a hold until it is ventilated and tested. Wet, fine coal can also become unstable, which is why moisture certificates are checked before loading.
Who can inspect
Coal falls under customs chapter 27; inspection companies need Ministry of Trade authorization for that chapter. Portiva shows the chapters each company holds on every port page.
Finding a surveyor
Choose the port on Portiva to see every authorized company there. To get quotes, send one request and we pass it to companies working in that port. Survey companies abroad looking for a local surveyor to attend on their behalf can use the attending surveyor request.