Bahrain iron ore and pellet exports in CY’19 recorded at 9.1 MnT, up 20% as against 7.6 MnT in CY’18. On monthly basis, exports witnessed significant rise by 35% to 1.04 MnT in Dec’19 as compared to 0.77 MnT in Nov’19.
The exports have picked up amid global material availability crises caused amid Vale dam mishap in Jan’19 followed by Australian cyclone. 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.
• Saudi Arabia stood largest importer of iron ore and pellet in CY19 at 2.58 MnT, up 40% as against 1.84 MnT in CY18.
• UAE stood second largest importer at 2 MnT, up 35% against 1.48 MnT in CY’18.
• Chinese imports of iron ore picked up significantly to 0.84 MnT in CY19 against 0.22 MnT in CY18. The imports picked up amid strict pollution control norms.
• Towards early Apr19, Bahrain Steel unveiled its plans to double its pellet production over the next 10 years. In 2018, the company achieved the landmark production and passed the milestone of having produced 100 MnT of pellets since its inception.
• Bahrain Steel – wholly owned company of Foulath Holding, has signed a 20 year agreement with Anglo American Marketing Limited for pellet supply for its plant in Hidd region. As per reports, demand for iron ore pellet is increasing majorly in Mena region with expected demand to reach 46 MnT by 2027. The contract will be a step ahead for the company to deliver quality product customers in the MENA region and beyond, relying on Bahrain Steel for their supply of DR pellets.
Bahrain Iron Ore & Pellet Export
| Country | CY19 | CY18 |
| Saudi Arabia | 2.58 | 1.84 |
| United Arab Emirates | 2 | 1.48 |
| Oman | 1.84 | 2.35 |
| China | 0.84 | 0.22 |
| Egypt | 0.84 | 0.7 |
| Trinidad & Tobago | 0.5 | – |
| Others | 0.49 | 1 |
| Grand Total | 9.1 | 7.6 |
Qty in MnT
Source: Customs
Bahrain iron ore imports up 12% in CY19
Bahrain imports of iron ore witnessed at 10.06 MnT in CY’19, increase by 12% Y-o-Y as compared to 8.99 MnT in CY’18. Brazil stood the largest exporter of iron ore for the year at 7.49 MnT, up 22% as against 6.13 MnT in last year. Sweden stood second largest exporter at 0.99 MnT, followed by Canada at 0.84 MnT and Oman at 0.36 MnT.
On monthly basis, Bahrain imports of iron ore depicted significant rise to 0.47 MnT in Dec’19 against 0.16 MnT in Nov’19
Bahrain Iron Ore Import
| Country | CY19 | CY18 |
| Brazil | 7.49 | 6.13 |
| Sweden | 0.99 | 0.16 |
| Canada | 0.84 | 1.14 |
| Oman | 0.36 | – |
| Belize | 0.17 | – |
| Norway | 0.16 | – |
| Others | 0.06 | 1.56 |
| Grand Total | 10.06 | 8.99 |
Qty in MnT
Source: Customs
Leave a Reply