China's Secondary Aluminum Alloy Ingot Inventory Rises 363 MT Post-Holiday

Spanish shipyard AISTER has secured a USD 4.3 million contract to build the all-aluminum passenger catamaran “Jeune France II” for Saint-Pierre et Miquelon, with delivery scheduled for September 2027. The 22.5-metre vessel will carry up to 100 passengers and features beach-landing capability and a hydraulic bow ramp for light vehicle transport. Its propulsion system combines diesel engines and electric drive in a hybrid configuration compliant with IMO Tier III standards, enabling low-emission and silent operation at low speeds and in ports. The company said the project reflects growing demand for flexible, low-emission aluminum vessels.

Trade between Libya and Brazil showed clear divergence in Q1 2026. Libya’s aluminum scrap exports to Brazil surged, driving total exports up 347.4% YoY to about USD 1.7 million. Meanwhile, Brazil’s exports to Libya fell 57.2% to USD 94.19 million, though Brazil still maintained a trade surplus of about USD 92.4 million. Brazilian exports mainly included iron ore, poultry, beef, tobacco and coffee, with iron ore accounting for about 36.8% of the total. Overall bilateral trade fell 56.5% YoY to USD 95.9 million, while rising aluminum scrap flows reflected changing dynamics in recycled resource trade.

[Geopolitical Tensions Boost LME, China Inventory Buildup and Weakening Demand Under Pressure] In the short term, the core pattern of LME outperforming SHFE in the aluminum market is difficult to reverse. The strength in LME will support room for SHFE aluminum to catch up after the holiday, but high inventory and weak demand in China will suppress overall gains. Going forward, the focus should be on the pace of aluminum ingot destocking in China and the strength of rigid demand release from downstream resumption of work and production resumptions.