How are sustainability and greenhouse gas savings audited for UK and Japanese utility buyers?

Buyers require Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) and FSC/PEFC chain-of-custody data for each stem. UK utility buyers audit greenhouse gas savings against the UK biomass sustainability criteria; Japanese buyers require certification that satisfies METI Feed-in Tariff (FiT) biomass legality and life-cycle GHG accounting guidelines.

Which US terminals load wood pellets for export?

In July 2026 the largest pellet load ports were Savannah (171,432 t), Baton Rouge (166,304 t), Wilmington (155,156 t), Mobile (153,412 t), Norfolk (98,562 t) and Panama City (98,068 t). Berth draft and loading rate are terminal-specific and are confirmed with the terminal for each stem.

What maritime safety measures are required for ocean transport of wood pellets under IMSBC Code?

Wood pellets in bulk can deplete oxygen and generate carbon monoxide (CO) in closed holds during the voyage. The IMSBC Code schedule for wood pellets sets the carriage requirements, including gas monitoring and ventilation before entry into cargo spaces.

How is commercial payment structured for international wood pellet trade?

Spot and multi-cargo quarterly stems are settled via 100% Irrevocable Documentary Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight (UCP 600) issued by a top-tier international bank against full set clean on-board Bills of Lading, SBP Sustainability Transfer Certificate, and SGS load-port certificate of quality and quantity (draft survey).

North America · United States

US Wood Pellets Export Gateway

1,083,053 tonnes of industrial wood pellets exported by vessel in July 2026 from Atlantic and Gulf berths to European and Japanese power generators

United States Atlantic and Gulf wood pellet export terminals ship pellets made from pine forests and wood processing residuals across Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to converted coal-fired power stations in Europe and Asia. US trade data record 1,083,053 metric tonnes exported by vessel in July 2026 at an average declared value of USD 194.70 per tonne (USD 210.9 million): the United Kingdom took 704,657 tonnes ($146.3M), Japan 169,769 tonnes ($28.9M) and the European Union 157,324 tonnes ($29.1M), chiefly the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland and France.

CBIL brokers certified industrial wood pellets from U.S. producers. CBIL is a commodity brokerage: each lot is brokered between a named seller and a named buyer against independent inspection. Pellet-fired utilities in the UK and Japan require third-party chain-of-custody verification under the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP), PEFC, or FSC standards. Cargoes are tested at load port by SGS or Bureau Veritas for Net Calorific Value (NCV ≥ 16.5 MJ/kg as received), total moisture (≤ 8.0–10.0%), ash (≤ 1.5% for I1), mechanical durability (DU ≥ 97.5%), and fines (≤ 2.0% at loading gate). Handysize (25,000–35,000 MT) and Supramax (45,000–55,000 MT) bulk carrier stems are structured on FOB loading berth, CFR, and CIF discharge terms, with IMSBC Code gas-monitoring and ventilation precautions.

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The market in figures

Declared US vessel exports, July 2026: 1,083,053 t (USD 210.9 million FOB)
Average declared value: USD 194.70 per tonne, vessel exports, July 2026
Primary destination utility markets: United Kingdom 704,657 t · Japan 169,769 t · European Union 157,324 t (Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, France)
Leading deepwater maritime terminals: Savannah (171k t) · Baton Rouge (166k t) · Wilmington (155k t) · Mobile (153k t) · Norfolk (99k t)
Standard industrial specifications: Industrial I1/I2 · NCV ≥16.5 MJ/kg · Moisture ≤10% · Ash ≤1.5% · Durability ≥97.5% · SBP/FSC

Landed values are the importing country's declared CIF, not CBIL prices.

Questions buyers ask

How are sustainability and greenhouse gas savings audited for UK and Japanese utility buyers?: Buyers require Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) and FSC/PEFC chain-of-custody data for each stem. UK utility buyers audit greenhouse gas savings against the UK biomass sustainability criteria; Japanese buyers require certification that satisfies METI Feed-in Tariff (FiT) biomass legality and life-cycle GHG accounting guidelines.
Which US terminals load wood pellets for export?: In July 2026 the largest pellet load ports were Savannah (171,432 t), Baton Rouge (166,304 t), Wilmington (155,156 t), Mobile (153,412 t), Norfolk (98,562 t) and Panama City (98,068 t). Berth draft and loading rate are terminal-specific and are confirmed with the terminal for each stem.
What maritime safety measures are required for ocean transport of wood pellets under IMSBC Code?: Wood pellets in bulk can deplete oxygen and generate carbon monoxide (CO) in closed holds during the voyage. The IMSBC Code schedule for wood pellets sets the carriage requirements, including gas monitoring and ventilation before entry into cargo spaces.
How is commercial payment structured for international wood pellet trade?: Spot and multi-cargo quarterly stems are settled via 100% Irrevocable Documentary Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight (UCP 600) issued by a top-tier international bank against full set clean on-board Bills of Lading, SBP Sustainability Transfer Certificate, and SGS load-port certificate of quality and quantity (draft survey).