In recent years a number of formerly coal fired power stations have started to turn to biomass as feedstock in order to improve sustainability of fuel sources. This has resulted in worldwide shipments of wood pellets intended to be burned. Most of these shipments are executed without incident but there are significant hazards associated with the carriage of wood pellets. The commodity consists of wood fragments/shavings etc compressed into pelletised form. These pellets can include a binder additive but not all wood pellets use binders. Either type can self-heat when in bulk form. The processes involved result in depletion of oxygen in enclosed spaces containing the cargoes and evolution of carbon monoxide – those are hazards associated with the carriage of wood pellets which are noted in the IMSBC Code. IMSBC Code – Group B commodities The Code has two schedules for wood pellets. The only distinction between the schedules for pellets with and without binders is that the schedule with additives/binders categorises the cargo as one which can evolve flammable gases when wet. Both are Group B commodities with the principle hazard when in bulk form being the oxygen depletion and carbon monoxide evolution. In common with many commodities of a plant nature, the IMSBC Code warns that wood pellets can undergo microbiological deterioration/fermentation when at a moisture content of over 15%. These cargoes are typically shipped at lower moisture levels and the Code notes that gas concentrations resulting from fermentation tend not to reach flammable levels. Unlike some commodities, there is no requirement for any documentation certifying moisture content to be provided to the vessel. Wood pellets can also generate heat by oxidation of the fibrous material. Intact wood does not heat significantly by oxidation at room temperature and only burns when its temperature is significantly elevated. However, wood pellets consist of fibrous material from the wood which has been broken u