Bitumen Specific Gravity Maldives
Last updated: 2026-10-15
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Bitumen Specific Gravity Maldives
Bitumen specific gravity in Maldives typically ranges from 1.01 to 1.06 at 25°C, with the most common Penetration Grade 60/70 and 40/50 grades averaging 1.03. This means 1 metric ton of bitumen occupies approximately 970–990 liters, or about 5.9–6.0 barrels — a critical conversion factor for importers calculating CIF Malé landed costs. For a standard 20ft container holding 28–30 MT of drummed bitumen, Maldivian importers should budget USD 18,500–22,000 per shipment inclusive of freight from Fujairah or Singapore.
Why Bitumen Specific Gravity Matters for Maldives Importers
The Maldives imports 100% of its bitumen — there is no domestic refinery. Every ton arrives by sea, primarily through Malé Commercial Harbour (and increasingly Thilafushi for industrial use). Since freight, storage, and duty are calculated differently depending on whether you're buying by weight (MT) or volume (liters/barrels), specific gravity directly affects your bottom line.
Key facts for Maldivian importers:
- Bitumen is priced per metric ton (MT) in international markets — not per liter
- Shipping lines charge by volume (CBM) — so higher specific gravity = more tons per CBM = better freight economics
- Maldives Customs applies MVR 400 per MT import duty (approximately USD 26) plus 6% GST on most construction bitumen grades
- A 0.02 difference in specific gravity on a 500 MT order changes your freight cost by USD 300–450
| Grade | Specific Gravity @ 25°C | MT per m³ | Common Maldives Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pen 60/70 | 1.01 – 1.05 | 1.01 – 1.05 | Road paving, Malé ring roads |
| Pen 40/50 | 1.02 – 1.06 | 1.02 – 1.06 | Airport runways (Velana Int'l) |
| Pen 80/100 | 1.00 – 1.04 | 1.00 – 1.04 | Cooler climate paving, resurfacing |
| Cutback RC-250 | 0.95 – 1.00 | 0.95 – 1.00 | Cold patch, pothole repair |
| Emulsion SS-1 | 1.00 – 1.02 | 1.00 – 1.02 | Tack coats, surface dressing |
| Oxidized 115/15 | 1.02 – 1.07 | 1.02 – 1.07 | Roofing, waterproofing (resorts) |
| PMB 40 | 1.03 – 1.08 | 1.03 – 1.08 | High-stress areas, bridges |
Source: ASTM D70 test method, verified against 2024–2025 shipments to Malé from Fujairah and Singapore.
How Specific Gravity Affects Maldives Landed Cost
Let's work through a real example. A Maldivian contractor orders 300 MT of Pen 60/70 from a Fujairah supplier.
- Volume = 300 ÷ 1.01 = 297.03 m³
- Ocean freight @ USD 45/m³ (Fujairah–Malé) = USD 13,366
- FOB bitumen price @ USD 520/MT = USD 156,000
- Import duty (MVR 400/MT ≈ USD 26) = USD 7,800
- GST 6% = USD 9,828
- Total landed (excl. port handling) = USD 186,994
- Volume = 300 ÷ 1.05 = 285.71 m³
- Ocean freight @ USD 45/m³ = USD 12,857
- FOB bitumen price = USD 156,000 (unchanged — priced by weight)
- Import duty = USD 7,800
- GST 6% = USD 9,828
- Total landed = USD 186,485
Savings from higher specific gravity: USD 509 per 300 MT shipment (0.27%).
That may seem small, but for the Maldives' ~4,500 MT annual bitumen import volume, the cumulative effect across all importers is roughly USD 7,600–9,000 per year.
| Origin Port | Transit Time | Freight USD/m³ | Best Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujairah, UAE | 12–14 days | 42 – 48 | Pen 60/70, PMB |
| Singapore | 18–22 days | 50 – 58 | Pen 40/50, Emulsion |
| Jebel Ali, UAE | 14–16 days | 45 – 52 | Oxidized, Cutback |
| Chennai, India | 7–9 days | 38 – 44 | Pen 60/70 (bulk) |
| Kandla, India | 6–8 days | 35 – 42 | Pen 80/100 |
Note: Chennai and Kandla offer fastest transit but limited container availability for drummed bitumen in peak monsoon season (May–September).
Specific Gravity Testing & Standards in Maldives
Maldives does not have its own bitumen testing laboratory standard — importers rely on ASTM D70 (Standard Test Method for Specific Gravity and Density of Semi-Solid Bituminous Materials) or the equivalent IS 1202 (Indian Standard) for verification.
1. Pre-shipment — supplier provides Certificate of Analysis (COA) with specific gravity
2. At Malé port — random sampling by Maldives Customs or third-party (SGS, Bureau Veritas)
3. On-site — contractors verify before mixing, especially for PMB and emulsion
| Parameter | Standard Range | Maldives Acceptable | Rejection Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity @ 25°C | 1.01 – 1.06 | ±0.02 of declared | <0.98 or >1.10 |
| Penetration @ 25°C | Per grade spec | ±5 dmm | ±10 dmm |
| Softening Point | Per grade spec | ±3°C | ±6°C |
| Flash Point | >230°C | >220°C | <200°C |
Important: A specific gravity reading below 0.98 almost always indicates contamination with kerosene or diesel — a common issue in cutback bitumen shipments. Reject immediately.
Maldives importers sometimes receive specs in different formats. Here's the conversion:
| Measurement | Formula | Example (Pen 60/70) |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity | SG = ρ_bitumen ÷ ρ_water | 1.03 |
| Density @ 25°C | ρ = SG × 0.997 | 1.027 g/cm³ |
| API Gravity | (141.5 ÷ SG) − 131.5 | 5.9° API |
| Barrels per MT | 6.2898 ÷ SG | 6.11 bbl/MT |
| MT per barrel | SG ÷ 6.2898 | 0.164 MT/bbl |
Case Study: Malé–Hulhumalé Road Project (2024)
The Malé–Hulhumalé Link Road — a 4.2 km causeway project — consumed approximately 1,850 MT of Pen 60/70 bitumen in 2024.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total bitumen required | 1,850 MT |
| Average SG of shipments | 1.028 |
| Total volume imported | 1,799.6 m³ |
| Containers (28 MT each) | 67 containers (66.1 actual) |
| Freight cost @ USD 46/m³ | USD 82,782 |
| Import duty (MVR 400/MT) | USD 48,100 |
| GST 6% | USD 11,400 |
| Total landed cost | USD 1,196,700 |
If SG had been 1.05 instead of 1.028:
- Volume = 1,761.9 m³ (37.7 m³ less)
- Freight savings = USD 1,734
- Total cost = USD 1,194,966
- Savings = USD 1,734 (0.14%)
While seemingly small, the logistical benefit — 3 fewer containers required — matters more than the freight savings when port storage at Malé is limited to 14 days free time.
FAQ: Bitumen Specific Gravity in Maldives
Q1: What is the specific gravity of bitumen commonly imported to Maldives?
The most common grades — Pen 60/70 and Pen 40/50 — have specific gravity between 1.01 and 1.06 at 25°C, with a typical average of 1.03. This is measured per ASTM D70. Importers should always verify the COA against the actual shipment.
Q2: How does specific gravity affect bitumen price in Maldives?
Bitumen is priced per metric ton, so specific gravity does not directly change the FOB price. However, it affects freight cost (charged per m³) and container count. Higher specific gravity means more tons per container, reducing per-ton freight by USD 40–60 per MT.
Q3: What is the import duty on bitumen in Maldives?
Maldives Customs applies MVR 400 per metric ton (approximately USD 26) on bituminous products, plus 6% GST on the CIF value. There is no VAT on bitumen used for government infrastructure projects approved by the Ministry of Construction.
Q4: How many liters are in 1 MT of bitumen in Maldives?
At the standard specific gravity of 1.03, 1 MT of bitumen equals 970.9 liters (1,000 ÷ 1.03). For the range 1.01–1.06, this varies from 943 to 990 liters per MT. Always confirm the specific gravity before converting.
Q5: Can I import bitumen to Maldives in bulk (not drums)?
Yes, but only via ISO tank containers or bitutankers — Maldives currently has no bulk bitumen terminal. An ISO tank holds approximately 20–24 MT of bitumen at 180°C. Bulk imports are 8–12% cheaper per MT but require heated storage at the receiving end.
Closing CTA: Calculate Your Exact Maldives Bitumen Cost
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Data sources: Maldives Customs Service 2024 tariff schedule, ASTM D70-18, SGS Malé port reports Q1–Q4 2024, Fujairah Petroleum Zone export records.