Indian Iron Ore Movement Up 23% in May’18

As per SteelMint’s analysis, iron ore movement across major producing states of the country recorded increase of 23% M-o-M in May’18 to 12.17 MnT as against 9.88 MnT in Apr’18. The figures are compiled on the basis of movements made via railways, trucks, Karnataka and import data as per customs. The figures exclude the captive iron ore movement of SAIL & Tata Steel and movement for exports.

State-wise iron ore movement analysis:

Iron ore dispatches from Odisha increased 14% in May’18

Iron ore dispatches from Odisha have witnessed rise of 14% M-o-M in May’18 to 6.10 MnT as compared to 5.35 MnT in Apr’18. Rungta Mines recorded highest dispatch in May’18 at 1.91 MnT, up 16% as against 1.64 MnT in Apr’18, followed by OMC at 0.91 MnT (up 50% M-o-M) and KJS Ahluwalia at 0.62 MnT(up 20% M-o-M).

NMDC C.G. Iron ore dispatches stable on monthly basis

India’s largest iron ore miner, NMDC has supplied 319 rakes of iron ore from Bailadila mines, Chhattisgarh in May’18, stable on monthly basis. Out of 319 rakes supplied, 43 rakes were moved to state based units which stood in line in Apr’18. A total of 276 rakes were supplied to outside CG based units and movement for exports recorded nil.

Karnataka iron ore e-auction sales up 36% M-o-M

Karnataka has registered a hike in iron ore sales via e-auctions in May’18. The state depicted an increase of 36% M-o-M iron ore sales to 1.77 MnT as against 1.3 MnT in Apr’18. NMDC’s iron ore sales increased by 5% M-o-M to 0.20 MnT in May’18 compared to 0.19 MnT in Apr’18, via e-auction. NMDC Kumarswamy recorded an increase of 18% in its sales volume to 0.13 MnT while sales from NMDC Donimalai mines has decreased by 13% to 0.07 MnT in May’18.. JSW Steel continued to be the largest buyer in Karnataka iron ore e-auction at 1.03 MnT (up 66% M-o-M), followed by BMM Ispat at 0.12 MnT.

Indian iron ore & pellet imports surge 73% in May’18

Indian iron ore & pellet imports recorded at 1.68 MnT up significantly by 73% against 0.97 MnT in Apr’18.
Indian iron ore imports depicted increase of 64% M-o-M to 1.59 MnT in May’18 against 0.97 MnT in Apr’18. The pellet imports for the month witnessed at 0.09 MnT against being nil a month before.
JSW Steel continued to be the largest importer of iron ore at 1.35 MnT( up twice on monthly basis) in May’18. Company is mostly fulfilling its requirement from imports.

Indian iron ore exports declined to 6-months low in May’18

Indian iron ore exports have decreased by 33% to 0.79 MnT in May’18 against 1.18 MnT in Apr’18.

The declining exports from Goan miners and an increase in high grade iron ore demand from Chinese mills led to decline of iron ore export from Goa. Besides, exports from NMDC continued to remain nil for the 2nd consecutive month in May’18 further reducing exports.
Goan miners are allowed to export iron ore mined previously to the ban imposition (15th Mar’18), on which royalty has been paid, and lying at jetties, not the iron ore lying at mines head. This is expected to bring the reduction in exports from Goa for upcoming months.

Indian Pellet Export drops 33% in May’18

Indian pellet exports have registered significant decline of 33% to 0.40 MnT in May’18 against 0.60 MnT in Apr’18.

JSPL marked the largest pellet exporter for the month of May’18 at 0.15 MnT, accounting 38% of total Indian Pellet exports share, up 51% against Apr’18 exports at 0.10 MnT.
Essar Steel stood the second largest exporter with exports at 0.11 MnT, (stable M-o-M) accounting for 27% share in total pellet exports from India, followed by BRPL at 0.08 MnT (down 48%) and KIOCL at 0.06 MnT ( down 54%).

Indian pellet export assessment to China witnessed on lower side due to strict environmental regulations, resulting in declining pellet exports. Towards the beginning of month, Indian pellet export price assessment was around USD 102/MT, FoB which came down to USD 96/MT, FoB towards the month end. Besides, the domestic pellet offers in eastern India moved up sharply in May resulting fall in exports.

Indian Iron Ore Movement May’18 v/s Apr’18

Qty in MnT
Excluding SAIL & Tata Captive procurement
Source: SteelMint Research