Shipping woes intensify for EU Mn flake buyers

摘要

European manganese flake buyers have been met with rising offers this week and worsening logistical challenges, with cancellations becoming more common and some vessels redirected owing to European port congestion. Delays and rising costs have become commonplace for European buyers since January, as cancellations and limited container availability have caused freight rates to jump. And conditions appear to be worsening amid congestion at some European port terminals. Several traders have been informed by shipping operators that incoming manganese flake will be stuck at port for five days before loading, while one trader said the shipping line they were working with had offered to unload on to barges, which would cause another four weeks of delays before being containerised.