What HMS 1 & 2 is
HMS — Heavy Melting Steel — is the workhorse ferrous scrap grade for induction-furnace and electric-arc-furnace steel mills. HMS 1 (ISRI codes 200–204): wrought iron and/or steel scrap ≥6 mm thick, individual pieces not exceeding 60×24 inches, prepared for direct furnace charging. HMS 2 (ISRI codes 205–206): same dimensional limit but accepts thinner sections (≥3 mm) and may include light gauge steel. The 80:20 contract — 80% HMS 1 + 20% HMS 2 — is the global benchmark for bulk ferrous trade.
ISRI specifications honoured
ISRI 200 (HMS No.1, dealer): wrought iron and/or steel scrap ≥¼ inch in thickness. ISRI 201 (HMS No.1, broker): the same with broker quality provisions. ISRI 205 (HMS No.2): wrought iron and/or steel scrap, black and galvanised, ≥⅛ inch in thickness, may include all steel automotive scrap, structural and plate. Our 80:20 contracts reference 'ISRI 200/205, 80:20 ratio by weight' verbatim.
Inspection
HMS is weight-verified on a calibrated 80-ton weighbridge, visually graded for dimensional compliance, and screened for contraries (sealed containers, gas cylinders, radioactive material). Random pieces are torch-cut to verify thickness and exclude cast iron pieces above the contract tolerance. Pre-shipment inspection by SGS, BV, Intertek or CIQ is mandatory for most destination markets and is built into our standard CIF offer.
Packaging — bulk or container
Container parcels load loose in 20GP or 40OT (open-top) at ~26–28 MT per 20GP and 28–30 MT per 40OT. Break-bulk parcels of 5,000–30,000 MT load directly into bulk carriers at Rotterdam, Amsterdam or Antwerp. Pieces are pre-cut to fit container or hatch dimensions; oversize material is shear-cut before loading.
Export documentation
Container HMS ships with commercial invoice, packing list, B/L, weight tickets, EUR.1 where applicable, Annex VII, radiation check certificate and inspection certificate. Break-bulk parcels add charterparty B/L, mate's receipts, stowage plan and IMSBC declaration for bulk steel cargo.
Pricing — Platts and TSI references
HMS 80:20 CIF is quoted with reference to the weekly Platts TSI HMS 1/2 80:20 CFR Turkey index, which sets the global benchmark for bulk ferrous. Our CIF Turkey offers track this index minus our trader margin and freight differential. CIF India, Pakistan and Bangladesh adjust for the longer freight leg from Europe.
Destinations and transit
Mersin / Iskenderun (Turkey — 12–14 days from Rotterdam), Karachi (Pakistan — 22–25 days), Chittagong (Bangladesh — 28–32 days), Nhava Sheva / Mundra (India — 18–22 days), Mombasa / Dar es Salaam (East Africa — 28–35 days). Break-bulk vessels typically book 2–4 weeks ahead of the loading window.
Source — European fabricator and demolition arisings
Our HMS stream comes from European steel fabricators' off-cuts, structural demolition (bridges, factories, ships under controlled dismantling), railway track renewal and licensed ELV body shells. Each load arrives at our Rotterdam yard with origin documentation that supports buyer due-diligence and Basel/EU 1013 compliance.
Order process
RFQ with tonnage, destination, container or break-bulk preference → written CIF/FOB offer within 24h referencing the latest TSI index → signed contract → 30% TT or LC opening → loading + inspection within the contracted window → 70% LC or TT against shipping docs.
Why buyers source HMS from Nautica
European-origin HMS commands a small but consistent premium at destination because of cleanliness, consistent dimensional prep and reliable documentation. Nautica adds rolling stock, weekly sailing schedules from three European ports, and contractual quality guarantees that hold us accountable at discharge.