Iron ore port stocks decline as steelmakers restock

Published: Sep 6, 2019 11:03
Stocks fell 350,000 mt from a week earlier to 110.3 million mt as of Sep 6

SHANGHAI, Sep 6 (SMM) – Inventories of iron ore across 35 Chinese ports dipped this week, after two consecutive weeks of gains, falling 350,000 mt from a week earlier to 110.3 million mt as of Friday September 6, showed SMM data.

On a year-over-year basis, port stocks declined 25.68 million mt.

Steelmakers stepped up restocking this week, as evidenced by moderate increases in in-plant stocks and greater deliveries departing from ports in east, south China and along the Yangtze River.

Daily iron ore deliveries from the 35 ports averaged 2.87 million mt this week, increasing for a third straight week and by 69,000 mt from the prior week. The reading was 203,600 mt higher than the same period last year.

Iron ore port stocks across China are unlikely to see consecutive gains in the short term, as shipments from Australia shrank in the last two weeks of August and as steelmakers will likely continue stockpiling in the run-up to the National Day holiday at the start of October.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Indonesian Nickel Policies Boost Prices, Steel Mills Show Positive Sentiment Before Holiday
46 mins ago
Indonesian Nickel Policies Boost Prices, Steel Mills Show Positive Sentiment Before Holiday
Read More
Indonesian Nickel Policies Boost Prices, Steel Mills Show Positive Sentiment Before Holiday
Indonesian Nickel Policies Boost Prices, Steel Mills Show Positive Sentiment Before Holiday
[SMM Nickel Flash] On the upstream side, news about Indonesian nickel ore costs and windfall tax policies supported the willingness to hold prices firm, smelters generally held back from selling with a bullish outlook, and high-grade NPI quotes rose in tandem. On the downstream side, steel mills showed relatively positive purchasing sentiment before the holiday. Although most steel mills maintained a wait-and-see attitude after the holiday, the market overall still held up well.
46 mins ago
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Sentiment Index Down to 3.05, Upstream Improves, Downstream Declines
48 mins ago
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Sentiment Index Down to 3.05, Upstream Improves, Downstream Declines
Read More
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Sentiment Index Down to 3.05, Upstream Improves, Downstream Declines
SMM Nickel Flash: High-Grade NPI Sentiment Index Down to 3.05, Upstream Improves, Downstream Declines
[SMM Nickel Flash] On May 6, the SMM high-grade NPI market sentiment index was 3.05, down 0.04 MoM. The high-grade NPI upstream sentiment index was 3.6, up 0.02 MoM. The high-grade NPI downstream sentiment index was 2.5, down 0.1 MoM.
48 mins ago
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesia Stainless Export Prices Hike $30/mt
2 hours ago
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesia Stainless Export Prices Hike $30/mt
Read More
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesia Stainless Export Prices Hike $30/mt
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesia Stainless Export Prices Hike $30/mt
On May 6, 2026, following a brief morning suspension, one of the Indonesia's stainless steel mill raised export quotations across all series by $30/mt. According to SMM analysis, the hike is driven by the convergence of positive holiday-period policies and the introduction of "windfall tax" expectations, which have funneled cost premiums directly to downstream products. Indonesian 304 CRC FOB offers are now positioned at approximately $2,227/mt. Bullish sentiment is expected to ripple across Asia as the solidified cost floor pressures other regional producers to follow suit.
2 hours ago
Iron ore port stocks decline as steelmakers restock - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)