Simandou Exports Jump to 2.2 Million Tonnes in May as Ramp-Up Gains Pace
Updated
Updated · Business Insider Africa · Jun 4
Simandou Exports Jump to 2.2 Million Tonnes in May as Ramp-Up Gains Pace
3 articles · Updated · Business Insider Africa · Jun 4
Summary
2.2 million tonnes of iron ore left Simandou’s Morebaya port in May, up from a previous record 1.3 million tonnes in April after monthly exports stayed below 600,000 tonnes earlier this year.
Improved loading efficiency at the port and better coordination between the BWCS and Simfer consortia accelerated shipments, signaling the Guinea project’s ramp-up is starting to take hold.
Forecasts now point to exports reaching about 8 million tonnes in the third quarter and 12 million tonnes in the fourth, though full 120 million-tonne annual capacity may still take longer than Rio Tinto’s 30-month target.
That growth could reshape iron ore trade because Simandou’s high-grade ore is viewed as a challenger to Australia’s Pilbara supply, even as logistics bottlenecks, a February fatality and May labor strikes have slowed development.
China has taken most shipments so far, but with steel demand weak and inventories high, analysts are still unsure whether the extra ore is being absorbed or worsening an already well-supplied market.
As Simandou floods the market, is its high-grade ore a green steel solution or the trigger for a global price collapse?
Is Simandou's 'green steel' ore worth the cost to Guinea's rare chimpanzees and sacred forests?
Simandou’s Export Boom: Guinea’s 2026 Ramp-Up, Market Disruption, and the Challenges Ahead
Overview
The Simandou iron ore project in Guinea is rapidly increasing its export capacity, with shipments rising from 0.6 million tons in early 2026 to 2.2 million tons by May. This surge follows the project's first shipment to China in December 2025 and highlights Simandou’s growing momentum. The ramp-up is driven by new infrastructure and positions Guinea as a key player in the global iron ore market. Despite facing operational challenges, the project's escalating output signals its potential to reshape global supply dynamics and boost Guinea’s economic prospects.