Iron-ore imports by China this year are on course to exceed one-billion metric tons by a comfortable margin, breaking 2016’s record, after figures for the first half showed another jump in cargoes and highlighted the ability of the largest steelmaker to absorb rising seaborne supplies.
Shipments in June were 94.7-million tons, up from 91.5-million in May, according to customs data on Thursday. In the first six months, imports rose to 539-million tons, 9.3% higher than the same period in 2016.
