Arrivals of Imported Iron Ore at Chinese Ports Dropped Slightly, While Shipments from Australia and Brazil Rose Slightly on a YoY basis

SHANGHAI, Apr 26 (SMM) - SMM data showed that a total of 81 ships arrived at major ports in China during April 18-24, carrying 12.25 million mt of iron ore, down 250,000 mt on a weekly basis and up 36,000 mt from a year ago. In the same period, shipments from Australia were 18.01 million mt, down 450,000 mt week-on-week and up 4.3 million mt YoY; shipments from Brazil were 6.1 million mt, up 580,000 mt week-on-week and 590,000 mt YoY.

Under the impact of the pandemic in China, the operating rates of blast furnaces of steel companies were relatively low. Steel mills are expected to stock up slightly ahead of the Labour Day holiday, which should support iron ore prices.