Weekly Cape Traffic Tracker – Week 30
Singapore tonnage climbs above YTD average, with further gains expected
Capesize tonnage passing through Singapore rose last week, climbing above the year-to-date average. The increase was driven by a rise in Standard Capesize/Newcastlemax volumes, while dedicated VLOC traffic edged lower. Looking ahead, tonnage supply through Singapore is expected to continue rising, led by stronger Capesize/Newcastlemax flows, which are likely to outweigh a minor dip in VLOC volumes.
From a broader perspective, the 3-week rolling average is currently tracking lower YoY, with Dedicated VLOCs up YoY, while Standard Capesize/Newcastlemax volumes remain down YoY.
Australian Iron Ore Exports Rebound on Stronger Loadings from Pilbara Terminals
FMG and Port Walcott lead recovery despite midweek weather and maintenance
Australian iron ore exports rose last week, driven by stronger shipments out of Port Hedland – FMG and Port Walcott. The recovery follows a week of softer volumes and marks a return to the upper end of recent throughput ranges. This improvement came despite ongoing maintenance at Port Walcott and Dampier, and a bout of showers and strong winds across the northwest coast and Geraldton mid last week.
Looking ahead, maintenance is set to continue at Port Walcott and Dampier, while the northwest is forecast for strong winds midweek. Export momentum may face some friction—though volumes are likely to remain within seasonal norms if conditions hold.
Australian Coal Exports Fall Sharply as Volumes Weaken Across Key Terminals
Steam and coking coal both slide amid terminal maintenance and growing weather risks
Australian coal exports declined sharply last week, with both steam and coking coal shipments posting broad-based losses. Steam coal volumes fell across all tracked ports except Abbot Point, while the drop in coking coal exports was largely led by softer loadings from Abbot Point as well. This decline came amid maintenance works at Newcastle and Hay Point, though weather was generally fair across northern Queensland.
Looking ahead, maintenance is scheduled across multiple ports, and weather risks are set to increase, with showers expected along the Queensland coast starting Thursday, and rainfall intensifying on Friday. Newcastle may see showers from Wednesday, with conditions expected to worsen into Friday and Saturday.
Brazil Iron Ore: Weekly Pulse
Vale holds steady as junior miners pull back; July exports still on strong footing
Brazilian iron ore exports dipped slightly last week, as steady shipments from Vale were offset by a decline in volumes from junior miners. Vale shipments dipped a marginal 0.3% WoW, with higher volumes from PDM and Tubarão offset by lower shipments out of CPBS and GIT. As for the junior miners, Ponta Ubu rebounded after a previous berthing gap, but the gains weren’t enough to offset declines at Minas Rio, Sudeste, and CSN.
Brazil’s July iron ore exports remain on track to finish strong. Vale is trending higher MoM and YoY, while junior miners continue to lag MoM despite a YoY increase. Rollover tonnage into August is estimated at 5–6 million DWT — roughly in line with the 5.6 million rolled from June into July.