LaycanDeskSouth Africa to China mineral freight - Coega and Richards Bay to Tianjin and Qinzhou
Lumpy chrome ore, magnesite, and ferroalloys on Supramax and Panamax tonnage from South African deepwater bulk terminals to Chinese stainless steel hubs. Coega (Port of Ngqura), Richards Bay and Durban to Tianjin (Xingang), Qinzhou and Zhanjiang: metallurgical magnesite ore, chrome ore concentrates, and high-carbon ferrochrome in 50,000 to 75,000 tonne cargoes on Supramax and Panamax tonnage.
South Africa is the world's preeminent supplier of chromium and refractory raw materials, holding over 70% of global chromite reserves in the Bushveld Igneous Complex alongside significant magnesite and manganese deposits. China is the destination: its massive stainless steel sector (anchored by Tsingshan, TISCO, and Baosteel) consumes tens of millions of tonnes of South African chrome ore (40–44% Cr2O3 metallurgical grade), magnesite ore for basic refractory brick manufacture, and bulk ferrochrome annually. Deepwater bulk terminals at Coega (Ngqura, 16.5m draft), Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal (17.5m draft), and Durban load ocean bulk carriers at 15,000 to 30,000 MT/day by conveyor and bucket systems.
The route crosses the Indian Ocean via Sunda or Malacca Straits, taking 18 to 24 steaming days to North China (Tianjin/Xingang) or South China (Qinzhou/Beihai) discharge berths. Mineral ores are heavy (stowage factor 14 to 20 cu.ft/MT) with chrome concentrates presenting IMSBC Group A liquefaction risks that require stringent Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) and Moisture Content (FMP) testing prior to loading. Supramaxes and Ultramaxes (55,000–64,000 DWT) carry parcel lots and geared requirements into developing South China berths, while gearless Panamaxes and Kamsarmaxes (75,000–82,000 DWT) carry full contract stems into deepwater industrial terminals. Charterers provide cargo declaration, moisture certificates, laycan, and declared receiver; owners open in South Africa or ballasting from India provide vessel cubic, tank-top ratings, and deballasting capacities. We work by email.
Load ports
- Coega / Ngqura (deepwater bulk, 16.5–18.0 m draft)
- Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal (DBT, 17.5–19.0 m draft)
- Durban (multipurpose and bulk berths, 12.0–12.8 m draft)
- Saldanha Bay (on western coast mineral stems)
Discharge ports
- Tianjin / Xingang (North China stainless steel gateway, 15.0 m draft)
- Qinzhou / Beihai (Guangxi stainless hub, 14.5 m draft)
- Zhanjiang / Lianyungang (deepwater ore berths)
- Taicang / Zhangjiagang (Yangtze river gateway)
Typical parcels
- Chrome ore lumpy & concentrate 40–44% Cr2O3, 50,000–75,000 t
- Magnesite ore (44–47% MgO raw refractory grade) 45,000–60,000 t
- High-carbon ferrochrome (FeCr 50–52% Cr) 25,000–45,000 t
- Stowage factor 14–20 cu.ft/MT, Supramax to Kamsarmax
Ships that carry it
The cargo itself, on Commbril
Questions charterers and owners ask
Why do chrome and magnesite ores require Supramax or Panamax tonnage?
Because mineral ores are dense and move in large industrial contract volumes. Supramaxes and Ultramaxes (50,000–64,000 DWT) serve geared discharge ports in southern China like Qinzhou and Beihai, while Panamaxes and Kamsarmaxes (75,000–82,000 DWT) provide lowest unit freight into deepwater terminals at Tianjin, Zhanjiang, and Caofeidian.
What are the moisture and liquefaction rules for South African chrome concentrate?
Chrome fine concentrates are classified under IMSBC Code Group A (cargoes which may liquefy). Shippers must supply certified lab certificates declaring Moisture Content (MC) strictly below the Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) sampled within seven days of loading.
What loading rates do Richards Bay and Coega provide?
Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal achieves 20,000 to 30,000 MT/day by conveyor shiploaders, and Coega (Ngqura) loads at 15,000 to 25,000 MT/day. Durban multipurpose berths load at 5,000 to 8,000 MT/day.
What must I send to get a named ship?
Mine/shipper of record, cargo grade and physical form (lump vs concentrate), IMSBC schedule with TML certificate for fines, loading terminal, discharge port rotation in China, laycan, load and discharge rates with laytime terms, commission, and declared charterer of record.