On May 18, 2026, iron ore futures trended weaker today. The most-traded contract I2609 closed at 803 yuan/mt, down 1.11% from the previous trading session. Port spot prices were 2-4 yuan higher than the previous day. Traders showed moderate enthusiasm in offering quotes; steel mill purchases were mostly driven by rigid demand; overall spot trading sentiment was lukewarm.
Last week, SMM global iron ore shipments totaled 30.922 million mt, up 5.48% WoW. Among them, Australian shipments were basically stable, while Brazil's shipments rebounded significantly. In addition, last week, total iron ore arrivals at Chinese ports reached 25.9288 million mt, up 5% WoW and up 6.28% YoY on a cumulative basis. Iron ore fundamentals continued last week's pattern. Supply side, as mainstream mines accelerated shipments in Q2, there were signs of entering a loosening channel again. However, demand side, blast furnace operating rates remained at relatively high levels, ensuring rigid demand for iron ore. Therefore, iron ore's upside was relatively limited, but price support remained generally solid.
On the macro front, coking coal and coke prices fell on futures due to policy shifts, dragging overall ferrous metals prices weaker. However, given that iron ore's own fundamental price support remained relatively firm, ore prices are expected to resume fluctuating at highs after a brief pullback this week. [SMM Steel]
![[SMM Hot-Rolled Arrivals] Mainstream Market Arrivals Declined WoW This Week](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/rBCZR20251217171716.jpg)
![[SMM Analysis] SMM's Interpretation of the "Implementation Measures for Capacity Replacement in the Steel Industry"](https://imgqn.smm.cn/usercenter/DpLok20251217171715.png)
