Supply and stocks
- Chrome ore inventories at the main ports of Tianjin, Qinzhou, Lianyungang and Shanghai: 3.12-3.42 million tonnes on February 3, up 2.5% from January 20.
- Alloy: A small number of alloy smelters close to Wuhan have halted production, while most producers are operating as normal.
Demand
- Most alloy smelters had already purchased sufficient chrome ore to last until February 8, and expect to replenish from portside stocks for immediate feedstock in the following weeks.
- Many stainless steel mills have reported increasing demand for ferro-chrome because road transport disruption is limited access to normal supplies.
Logistics since outbreak began
- Port to smelters: Logistics between Tianjin port and Inner Mongolia said to be running smoothly for chrome ore, so delivery not affected as much as for manganese.
- Smelters to mills: The delivery of ferro-chrome to mills in different regions have been affected by transport restrictions.
- Inland mills likely to worst-affected but suppliers hope to continue to serve coastal customers.
Price since outbreak began
- Chrome ore prices held in the first week after Chinese New Year and early indications suggest higher offer prices may come due to surge in demand in short term
- Chrome ore South Africa UG2 concentrates index basis 42%, cif China: $136 per tonne on January 31, unchanged since January 24.
- Chrome ore Turkish lumpy 40-42%, cfr main Chinese ports: $180-185 per tonne, also unchanged.
- Sources said domestic ferro-chrome prices in China may receive support amid the transportation disruptions.
- Ferro-chrome spot 6-8% C, basis 50% Cr, ddp China: 5,700-5,900 yuan per tonne on January 31, also unchanged.
- Ferro-chrome 50% Cr import, cif main Chinese ports: $0.69 per lb, flat since January 3.
See also – Coronavirus impact on key parts of the steel supply chain:
Iron ore
Coking coal
Manganese ores and alloys
Steel