Steel’s future is being forged in a crucible of competing demands. As the global push for greener production gains momentum, today’s market continues to favor low-cost, lower-grade ores. This “iron ore paradox” puts producers, investors and policymakers at a pivotal intersection. While economic realities make lower-grade ores attractive now, the industry can’t ignore the drive to decarbonize steel production. 

The SGX 65% Fe iron ore futures contract reached record trading volumes as Chinese steelmakers sought high-grade ores amid tighter production restrictions. This surge underscores the growing role of premium-grade iron ore derivatives in global steel and raw materials markets.

The rationale for MB-IRO-0009 iron ore 65% Fe Brazil-origin fines, cfr Qingdao index on Friday August 8 had erroneously omitted the judgment for carry-over step. The rationale entry has been corrected as follows: Fastmarkets’ index for iron ore 65% Fe Brazil-origin fines, CFR Qingdao fell by $0.08 per tonne from the previous day. The price movement was […]

Following a recent proposal to amend the specifications of the MB-IRO-0009 iron ore 65% Fe Brazil-origin fines, cfr Qingdao index – specifically, the increase in the silica base specification from 2.2% to 2.7% – Fastmarkets will introduce the high-grade iron ore, 0.5% Si VIU, cfr Qingdao index. This new index is designed to support the market’s transition and provide […]

Following an initial consultation with the market, and a review of the typical data sets that have been collected over recent months, Fastmarkets is proposing the changes to the name and specifications of the index for iron ore 62% Fe fines, fot Qingdao (MB-IRO-00011), and iron ore 62% Fe fines, fot Qingdao, $/tonne conversion (MB-IRO-00022), […]

Nickel pig iron (NPI) is a key feedstock material used for stainless steel production, and the CIF has grown to become one of the mainstream trading methods for the Chinese market. The proposed price assessment will allow Fastmarkets to bring more transparency to the Chinese NPI market. Fastmarkets has been tracking spot and DDP China […]

The purpose of this review is to ensure that the index continues to accurately reflect prevailing market conditions. We welcome feedback from industry participants on potential amendments to the base specification. This consultation, which is open until August 9, 2025 seeks to ensure that our methodologies continue to reflect the physical market under indexation, in […]

Following a month-long consultation period which took place between May 26-June 23, Fastmarkets will launch the weekly price assessment to better reflect the Indonesian coke market, given that the country has been a key exporter of coke worldwide since 2023. The price specifications are as follows: MB-COA-0009 Coke 65/63% CSR, fob IndonesiaQuality: 65/63% CSR, 12.5% max Ash, 0.65% max […]

The global steel industry’s move to decarbonize and China’s penchant for lower-grade ores in recent years have uncovered challenges for high-grade iron ore to live out its value in both the blast furnace-based steelmaking route and the direct-reduction iron process, delegates told Fastmarkets during the Singapore International Ferrous Week (SIFW), which takes place from May 26-30.

The global iron ore market, a pivotal component of the steelmaking industry, has historically been driven by simple supply and demand dynamics. However, steel trade tariffs, trade wars and a growing trend toward resource nationalism are reshaping this once-basic industrial staple. These forces, alongside rising environmental regulations and shifting trade patterns, are profoundly influencing iron ore pricing, production and consumption trends.