Global bauxite trade triples in a decade

Global seaborne bauxite trade has more than tripled in a decade and is running at another record pace in 2026, driven overwhelmingly by shipments from Guinea to China. Ocean loadings rose from 81.3m tonnes in 2016 to a record 247.5m tonnes last year, according to analysis from Ursa Shipbrokers. Volumes reached 160.5m tonnes in the first seven months of 2026, up 9.5% year on year, with July loadings jumping 20.9% to 22.8m tonnes. Bauxite now accounts for 4.8% of global dry bulk loadings, compared with 1.8% in 2016. The trade has expanded at an annual rate of more than 13%, far outpacing growth across the wider dry bulk market. China remains the dominant destination, receiving almost 92% of bauxite cargoes loaded so far this year. China-bound volumes climbed from 52.7m tonnes in 2016 to 218.7m tonnes in 2025, accounting for virtually all the net growth in the global trade over the period. Bauxite now accounts for nearly 5% of global dry bulk loadings On the supply side, Guinea has tightened its grip on the market. The West African country exported a record 127.4m tonnes during the first seven months of 2026, up 19.2%, with July shipments surging 44.3% year on year to 17.1m tonnes. Guinea now supplies close to four-fifths of internationally traded bauxite. The long-haul Guinea-China route has made bauxite an increasingly important source of employment for larger bulk carriers. Capesizes have carried 27.7% of cumulative bauxite volumes tracked since 2013, followed by newcastlemaxes at 18.3% and post-panamaxes at 16.2%. Together, the three segments account for more than 62% of cargo intake. Guinean exports have continued to rise despite government moves to exert greater control over raw ore shipments and push miners towards more domestic refining. The country’s bauxite output rose 25% in the first quarter of 2026, supported by sustained Chinese demand. Follow Us Adis Ajdin Adis is an experienced news reporter with a background in finance, media and education. He has written across the spectrum of offshore energy and ocean industries for many years and is a member of International Federation of Journalists. Previously he had written for Navingo media group titles including Offshore Energy, Subsea World News and Marine Energy. Newsletter DAILY SPLASH NEWSLETTER Subscribe now for FREE daily news updates. Subscribe Read Next August 5, 2026 TGS launches seismic overhaul offshore Egypt August 5, 2026 Goldenport lifts ultramax newbuild bet August 5, 2026 Greece’s Nautilus makes tanker newbuild debut at Wuhu August 5, 2026 Chinese lessors use Malta flag to rebuild European business August 5, 2026 Black Sea attacks choke grain, coal and iron ore trades Back to top button