Bahrain iron ore and pellet exports in Q1 CY19 recorded at 2.61 MnT, up 6% as against 2.47 MnT in Q4 CY18. On yearly basis, exports witnessed significant increase as compared to 1.1 MnT in Q1 CY18. As per data mainatained with SteelMint, Bahrain recorded first iron ore export shipment in Feb’19 since 2013 at 0.11 MnT.
For the month of Mar’19 the exports witnessed at 1.36 MnT up sharply against 0.65 MnT in Feb’19.
• Saudi Arabia stood largest importer from Bahrain for the quarter at 0.7 MnT, up 46% against 0.48 MnT in last quarter, followed by UAE at 0.61 MnT (up 49% Q-o-Q).
• DR grade pellets supply is a matter of concern especially for DRI producers in the Middle East and North Africa region such as Saudi Arabian steel major Emirates Steel and Ezz Steel and Beeshay Steel in Egypt who are mostly reliant on Vale shipments.
• Bahrain Steel – wholly owned company of Foulath Holding, recently unveiled its plans to double its pellet production over the next 10 years. Bahrain Steel produced 8 MnT of pellets in 2018, gaining a 26% market share in the GCC and an enviable record for quality output. In the current year, it plans to utilize its full installed capacity of 12 MnT.
Bahrain iron ore imports down 7% Q-o-Q
Bahrain imports of iron ore witnessed at 3.06 MnT in Q1 CY19, down 7% compared to 3.29 MnT in Q4 CY18. On yearly basis, the imports increased significantly as against 1.32 MnT in Q1 CY18.
Bahrain imports of iron ore for Mar’19 stood at 1.36 MnT, up 89% compared to 0.72 MnT in Feb’19.
Brazilian exports to Bahrain recorded at 2.3 MnT, up 12% against 2.07 MnT in Q4 CY18, followed by Canada at 0.33 MnT (down 34% Q-o-Q).
Vale’s Corrego do Feijao mine rupture at Minas Gerais in Brumadinho, Brazil, on 25 January this year has put DRI manufacturers in MENA (Middle-east and North Africa) region under stress because of the iron ore supply disruption.
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