According to market sources report to SteelMint, demand for imported lumps in India has witnessed rising amidst limited supplies and increasing domestic pellet prices. However, tight availability of both Kumba and Assmang lump is a matter of concern.
Demand for South African lump in India is high, but the weather constraints, port congestion along with the railway maintenance shut down have reduced the lump availability.
A Gujarat based trade source highlighted that offers for Assmang and Kumba lump are only heard for November deliveries amid issues in material movement. Owing to this, mills were heard to have booked a cargo of Australian lump.
A market participant highlighted “We have booked Australian lump cargo of 90,000 MT, with 61% Fe content at USD 86/MT, CFR. The shipment is scheduled for November deliveries”.
Although no offers for South African lump was heard but assessment stands at around USD 95/MT, CFR Kandla for Fe 65% lump.
Jindal SAW may increase pellet offers further –
Jindal SAW pellet offers for Fe 63% assessed at INR 9400/MT (delivered Kandla) as against INR 9000 /MT (delivered Kandla), last week. As per sources, prices may move up further.
List of iron ore import vessels to India in Sep’18
| Shipper | Port | Vessel Name | Quantity | Country |
| Sree Rengaraaj Ispat | Tuticorin | Thor Mercury | 54,380 | South Africa |
| Mono Steel | Kandla | Pacific Queen | 172,100 | South Africa |
| JSW Steel | Jaigarh | Berge Daisen | 190,000 | Australia |
| JSW Steel | Jaigarh | Cape Leonidas | 165,700 | Brazil |
| JSW Steel | Krishnapatnam | Helga Oldendorff | 192,064 | Australia |
| JSW Steel | Krishnapatnam | Luise Oldendorff | 189,600 | Australia |
| JSW Steel | Jaigarh | Kyla Fortune | 155,600 | Brazil |
Qty in MT
Provisional Data, Updated till 17th Sep’18
Source: SteelMint Stats, Customs
Australia contributes 64% of Indian iron ore imports in CY’18
According to data maintained with SteelMint, Indian iron ore imports in CY’18(Jan-Aug’18) witnessed at 10.90 MnT. Australia accounted for 64% of total Indian imports at 6.95 MnT, followed by South Africa at 2.36 MnT and Brazil at 1.41 MnT.
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