The Simandou mining project in Guinea has just reached a symbolic milestone: its very first shipment of iron ore has been delivered to China. The bulk carrier Winning Youth, operated by the Winning International group, transported this first batch to the port of Majishan, in China’s Zhejiang province.
Beyond the commercial kickoff, this delivery primarily marks the official transition of the project from a construction phase to an operational exploitation phase. Simandou is presented as one of the largest deposits in the world, with an expected large-scale ramp-up, which could impact the balances of the dry bulk market and maritime flows related to raw materials.
In the group’s communication, the emphasis is on the desire to quickly optimize the production-transport chain, in order to establish standards of performance and reliability, while supplying the international market with high-grade ore. In the background, this new export route further strengthens China’s role as a major absorption hub for imported ore.
