- Seasonal logistics constraints tighten manganese ore availability
- Weekly cargo arrivals down by 18% at Indian port
India’s imported manganese ore prices witnessed a marginal uptick, driven by concerns over tightening supply availability at exporting ports and transitional bottlenecks between mines and ports. These logistical disruptions have raised supply-side uncertainties, prompting cautious procurement by buyers and lending mild upward support to ore prices despite subdued downstream demand.
- Australian high-grade ore (Mn 46%): Prices inched up by around $0.03/dmtu w-o-w to about $5.26/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.
- Gabonese high-grade ore (Mn 44%): Prices increased by approximately $0.02/dmtu w-o-w to around $4.92/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag.
- South African lumps (Mn 37%): Prices remained stable w-o-w at $4.28/dmtu CNF Haldia/Vizag, supported by limited inquiries and sufficient material available with smelters side.
Market overview
Wet season limits ore flows from South Africa, Gabon prices edge up: The ongoing wet season in key manganese ore–supplying regions such as South Africa (October-April) and Gabon (During November) has disrupted mine operations and mine-to-port logistics, leading to rail congestion, slower cargo movement, and intermittent port handling delays. These seasonal disruptions have tightened spot availability at exporting ports and increased shipment uncertainties, resulting in slightly firmer imported manganese ore prices. Higher replacement costs are, in turn, adding pressure on silico manganese production costs in India, reinforcing a cost floor and limiting the scope for further downside in alloy prices despite subdued demand conditions.
Manganese alloy prices gain w-o-w across domestic and export markets: Indian silico manganese (60-14) prices rose by around INR 900/t ($10/t) w-o-w to INR 69,500–70,800/t ($772–787/t) across key markets, supported by a modest recovery in steel demand and better acceptance of slightly higher-priced material by mills. HC 65-16 silico manganese export prices also increased by $11/t w-o-w to $908/t FOB Vizag/Haldia.
Meanwhile, HC ferro manganese (70%) prices rose w-o-w by INR 700/t ($8/t) to INR 71,500/t in Durgapur and by INR 500/t ($6/t) to INR 71,800/t in Raipur, driven by improved steel demand, restocking activity, limited spot availability, and firm manganese ore prices. HC 75% ferro manganese export prices climbed by $14/t w-o-w to $896/t FOB Vizag/Haldia.
Imported cargo arrivals fall w-o-w:Weekly manganese ore cargo arrivals (Mn37%, Mn44%, and Mn46%) to India decreased by 18% to 182,850 t over 17-24 December against 223,069 t in the previous week.
Outlook
Manganese ore prices likely to remain firm in the near term amid wet-season disruptions and tight availability, though weak alloy demand may cap further upside.
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