The bulk carrier Winning Youth, loaded with 200,000 tons of high-quality iron ore from Guinea's major Simandou project, has left the port of Morebay, Chinese media reported. The shipment represents the first commercial export from what is widely considered to be the world's largest untapped source of premium iron ore.
The departure of the first vessel marks the formal activation of the project's entire production chain linking the mine, newly constructed rail infrastructure, port facilities and shipping. According to media reports, the carrier Winning Youth is heading to Majishan port in Ningbo in China's Zhejiang province with an expected arrival date of January 15.
The Ximangdu iron ore mine began operations in November this year, SteelOrbis previously reported, and the first barge of iron ore was loaded on board Winning Youth.
