[SMM Monthly Shipping Data] Global Shipments Declined Significantly in April, While Port Arrivals Increased Slightly

Published: May 6, 2025 13:27

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[SMM Monthly Shipping Data: Global Shipments Drop Significantly in April, While Port Arrivals Increase Slightly] In April 2025, SMM reported that the total global iron ore shipments reached 136.762 million mt, showing a slight decline of 9.4% MoM. Among them, South Africa and other non-mainstream countries experienced a significant drop, with South Africa's shipments decreasing by 14.5% MoM from March. Australia's shipments fell by 9.3%, while Brazil's shipments declined by a relatively small 4.5%. On a YoY basis, only Brazil's shipments increased, by 6.5%. Other countries saw a slight decline. In April 2025, SMM reported that China's total iron ore port arrivals reached 104.507 million mt, with a slight increase of 0.8% MoM. Ports with significant increases included Bayuquan Port and Jingtang Port. Ports with larger declines were Qingdao Port and Tianjin Xingang Port. On a YoY basis, port arrivals continued to decline slightly by 2.6%.

SMM's global iron ore shipments in April 2025 totaled 136.76 million mt, down 9.4% MoM. Among them, South Africa and other non-mainstream countries saw significant declines, with South Africa down 14.5% MoM from March. Australia's shipments decreased by 9.3%, while Brazil's shipments saw a relatively small decline of 4.5%. On a YoY basis, only Brazil's shipments increased, up 6.5%, while other countries experienced slight declines. By mine, major mines' shipments in April 2025 all declined. Among them, Roy Hill saw the largest drop of 27.7%, followed by Rio Tinto (Australia) with a decline of 15.8%. SMM's total iron ore port arrivals in China in April 2025 were 104.51 million mt, up slightly by 0.8% MoM. Ports with larger increases included Bayuquan Port and Jingtang Port, while Qingdao Port and Tianjin New Port saw larger declines. On a YoY basis, port arrivals continued to decline slightly by 2.6%. By product, the port arrivals of coarse powder, fine powder, and pellets all saw slight declines in April 2025, while lump ore port arrivals increased slightly by 1.5 million mt.

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