Links to previous press releases are below.
South African Iron Ore, Coal & Manganese Ore Exports
Coal, Iron Ore, Minor Bulks
Seaborne iron ore exports from South Africa edged up by 0.3 Mt year-on-year to 5.5 Mt in February, according to customs data, the majority of which (5.1 Mt) was shipped from Saldanha Bay. However, total shipments declined from a recent high of 6.6 Mt in January.
By contrast, exports of South African steam coal tumbled by 1.5 Mt year-on-year to a seven-month low of 5.6 Mt in February, according to data collected by IHS. Loadings fell from just shy of 7.0 Mt in January.
Coal shipments to both South Korea and the Netherlands dropped to zero in February against 0.5 Mt and 0.2 Mt, respectively, in February 2019. However, exports to India bucked this trend, rising by 0.7 Mt on the year to 3.6 Mt.
Meanwhile, the country’s seaborne manganese ore exports crept up to 1.5 Mt in February, roughly flat to January exports.
South African ports are now to remain open during the country’s ongoing lockdown (due to end 17 April) with efforts made to facilitate cargo movement to Saldanha Bay and Richards Bay, according to an official statement reported by IHS. Richards Bay Coal Terminal had already received an exemption permitting it to operate.