Global bauxite shipments hit 6.5Mt last week, ending 1Q’25 at record levels.
New Indonesian coal pricing leads Asian buyers to focus on Australian coal
With the Indonesian government enforcing a new coal pricing system and finalising new royalty rates, Asian buyers are rapidly shifting procurement strategies.
2025 off to slow start for bulk carrier orders
With only 22 bulk carriers (≥10kt-DWT) ordered through Jan-Feb 2025, it has been the slowest start to the year since 2018, signalling the end of the current cycle.
China’s relentless steel exports continue into 2025
In 2025, China’s steel exports remain strong despite a slightly slower momentum.
Global iron ore supply response following cyclones Sean & Zelia in Australia
Pendulum swing? Global iron ore loadings hit 39Mt/Wk last week – just 3Mt/Wk below record – as Australian miners…
USTR proposed fees on Chinese built vessels calling US may further weaken US agri exports outlook
New US policy on China-built vessels: unintended hit on US agri exporters?
Australian iron ore ports momentarily disorganized by Cyclone Zelia!
Despite a Category 5 punch and a 3-day halt at key ports in West Australia, Cyclone Zelia left iron ore operations largely intact with BHP and FMG already back in action.
US corn exports rise despite weather challenges
Despite adverse weather in recent weeks and still facing this week, cumulated exports of US corn in the first 7 weeks of 2025…
China to retaliate on recent US tariffs, incl. export controls of critical metals
China retaliated against US tariffs with a 15% duty on US coal and LNG and 10% on crude oil.
Iron ore exports from Australia partly recovering from cyclone Sean
Still significantly impacted by the recent passage of Cyclone Sean (17-19 January), weekly iron ore exports from Australia have…
Despite weak steel sector, China iron ore output kept growing in 2024
With iron ore prices CFR China averaging 103$/t in December and briefly dipping to 98.8$/t, China’s Dec’24 output…
China’s Iron Ore Imports Close 2024 on a High Note
In December, China’s iron ore imports rose +10% MoM to 112.5Mt (+11.5% YoY), closing 2024 at 1.24Bt (+4.9% YoY) despite a challenged Chinese steel sector.
Dunkelflaute in China in November? Plateauing wind output sent Coal imports and mining to record!
Dunkelflaute in China? Despite wind hitting a record 82.4TWh in Nov’24, driven by…
China coal imports up +26% YoY to an all-time high of 55Mt!
Reflecting rising loadings in the Pacific since mid-October, China’s coal imports surged +26% YoY to a record in November.
Divergence between deliveries of Capesize/VLOC and other bulk carriers to widen further in 2025
The year 2025 will see the divergence between deliveries of the larger Capesize/VLOC…
Iron ore stockpiles at Chinese ports touch 5-year seasonal high once again!
Last week, iron ore stockpiles in Chinese ports returned above the 150Mt-mark for…
Chinese Car production once again at all-time high!
China’s production of vehicles rose +6.3% YoY to a record 3 million in Oct’24, and it was accompanied a +16% YoY increase of the production of cold-rolled coils, the steel product used for making cars.
Chinese steel exports returned to record!
Unabated by repeated headlines on steel import tariffs (28 cases in 2024), Chinese steel exports in October rose +41% on a YoY basis.
US Presidential Elections impact on grains
President Trump’s tariff policy announced during his campaign is expected to heighten trade tensions with China, top destination for US agri exports, accounting for an average of 36% from 2020 to 2023.
Iron ore exports from India are recovering after monsoon season!
India’s weekly iron ore exports have surged to a new 5-year seasonal high, buoyed by post-monsoon recovery and iron ore prices holding above 100$/t.