South African Iron Ore and Manganese Ore Exports Ease

Iron Ore, Minor Bulks

South African seaborne iron ore shipments dropped to a five-month low of 4.5 Mt in March, falling by 0.4 Mt year-on-year, customs data show. Meanwhile, the country’s seaborne manganese ore exports fell to 1.4 Mt in March (-0.3 Mt year-on-year to a 15-month low).

Initially, bulk terminals were to be closed to mineral shipments during the country’s lockdown, which started on 26 March (restrictions eased on 1 May). However, this decision was revised and ports were allowed to remain open with efforts made to facilitate cargo movement to Saldanha Bay and Richards Bay.