West India (Gujarat) based steel mills are actively looking for South African lump amid reduced iron ore movement from central India (NMDC) following disruption in K-K railway line and scheduled maintenance shutdown at Jindal SAW which a major source of pellets for Gujarat mills.
South Africa, world’s 3rd largest iron ore exporter after Australia and Brazil has exported 5.64 MnT in Oct’17, according to the trade data released by South African Customs.
South African iron ore exports have increased by 9% M-o-M in Oct’17 against 5.18 MnT in Sept’17. It was also up 4% on yearly basis compared to Oct’16 which was 5.42 MnT.
During Jan-Oct’17, South Africa exported 54.73 MnT iron ore up 5% against same period last year which was 52.25 MnT.
In Oct’17, an agglomerated (pellets/concentrate) iron ore exports were up 5% M-o-M to 3.67 MnT, against 3.49 MnT in Sept’17. Similarly the non-agglomerated (fines/lump) iron ore exports were up 16% to1.96 MnT in Oct’17 against 1.69 MnT in Sept’17.
Majority of the iron ore exported from South Africa was Saldanha Bay port followed by Richard’s Bay port.
Country- wise South Africa Iron Ore Exports
China continues to remain the largest iron ore importer from South Africa in the month of Oct’17 to 3.76 MnT on monthly basis followed by Netherland (0.55 MnT), India (0.25 MnT) and Turkey at 0.23 MnT.
India’s iron ore imports increased 67% M-o-M in Oct’17. According to market sources report, west India (Gujarat) based steel mills have heard to have booked around 3-4,00,000 MT South African lumps owing to reduced domestic availability of pellets and iron ore. As per market sources, in Dec’17 and Jan’18 vessels containing Kumba lump are expected to arrive at west India ports. Also in Feb’18 a vessel of Assmang lump is expected to arrive at west India ports.
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