IFCHOR GALBRAITHS launches Bauxite 360 as seaborne trade reaches record levels

IFCHOR GALBRAITHS, a shipbroker, has introduced Bauxite 360, a new research and advisory service that delves into the global bauxite market. This service, part of IG's Commodities 360° research series, provides detailed analysis, regular updates, and access to their Research & Advisory team. The launch of Bauxite 360 comes amid record global seaborne bauxite exports of 251 million tonnes in 2025, marking an 18% increase from the previous year.

The first half of 2026 saw an additional 9.2% growth in volumes. The market is characterized by high concentration, with Guinea supplying about 70% of the global bauxite supply and China receiving around 89%. IG forecasts that global export capacity will rise from 251Mt to 315Mt by 2030, with Guinea contributing approximately 59Mt of this projected increase.

This growth has significant implications for the aluminium supply chain and dry bulk shipping. Currently, around 83% of Guinea's bauxite exports are transported via Capesize vessels. The country's policy decisions, infrastructure development, and domestic refining ambitions could significantly impact future trade patterns and freight demand.

Laura Gomez, IG's Dry Research Senior Advisor, emphasizes that while Guinea and Australia dominate supply, Bauxite 360 tracks developments in smaller producing markets such as Sierra Leone, Guyana, and Ghana. These nations saw record exports in 2025 due to new capacity and growing demand from China and the Gulf. The service examines key players, including mining companies, ports, terminals, trade routes, vessel deployment, and future supply capacity, merging commodity fundamentals with IG's insights into the physical freight market.