OCEAN SHIPPING OF BAUXITE AND ALUMINA

Trade and transportation of bauxite, the ore, and an intermediate product, alumina, is in process of change. Until recently, the supply and shipping of these raw materials were largely controlled by the aluminium companies, but their dominance is being strongly challenged by the exporting countries. The study reviews the changes which have occurred, emphasising their influence on trade and shipping. It examines some of the structural and locational characteristics of the aluminium industry, describing the problems it faces in establishing new capacity and safeguarding raw material supplies. Extensive reference is made to the development of bauxite/alumina trade, separate matrices being provided for inter-area movements of these raw materials in the years 1972-73-74. The imports, or exports, of many countries are also given in the study. The final part focuses on the demand for aluminium raw materials, forecasting the growth of primary aluminium production through to the mid-1980's and the resulting raw material requirements. The results were employed to estimate the future growth of seaborne trade, one of the main conclusions being that alumina shipments will virtually double by 1985, reaching a level of 20 million tons. The study concludes with a comprehensive review of ocean shipping of aluminium raw materials, describing the shipping and chartering methods employed and the continuing dependence on long-term freighting arrangements, or captive fleets. An appendix lists the Western World's alumina plants, detailing their capacity, annual bauxite consumption and sources of supply.

• Corporate Authors:

  Drewry (HP) (Shipping Consultants) Limited

  Palladium House, 1-4 Argyll Street
  London W1V 1AD,   England 
• Publication Date: 1976-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 78 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bauxite; Bulk cargo; Dry bulk cargo; Trade; Trend (Statistics)
• Old TRIS Terms: Bulk bauxite/alumina; Bulk trade flows
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00138556
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Drewry (HP) (Shipping Consultants) Limited
• Report/Paper Numbers: No. 43 Econ Study
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 4 1976 12:00AM