Commodity & Market Intelligence Archives > LBH Group | Africa

Key Observations in South Africa Manganese Shipping Volumes

LBH Group | Africa — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:44:00 +0000

Q1 YoY ANALYSIS

We have detailed year-over-year analysis of #Manganese vessel activity ex-South Africa for the first quarter of 2024 through 2026.

Logistics Benchmarks & Trends (Q1 2024-2026)

January Recalibration: January 2026 registered a substantial +40.54% growth in vessel numbers compared to the prior year. This contrasts sharply with the minimal adjustment (-2.63%) seen in January 2025 (vs 2024), highlighting a clear acceleration in early-year logistics engagement.
Strong Q1 Alignment: The strong +40.48% increase observed in March 2026 largely mirrored the January figures, indicating that the quarter maintained an elevated and stable trend line. This is a notable uptick from the stable, low-single-digit growth (2.44%) recorded in March 2025.

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Geopolitics at Sea

LBH Group | Africa — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:44:00 +0000

The latest escalation in the Middle East is already being felt in global shipping markets.

Energy markets reacted swiftly, with crude benchmarks pricing in additional geopolitical risk.
Insurance is another immediate pressure point. War risk premiums for vessels trading through high-risk zones (particularly the Red Sea corridor and approaches to the Gulf) can escalate rapidly.

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Zimbabwe Export Ban

LBH Group | Africa — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:44:00 +0000

The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development advised yesterday that the Government of Zimbabwe has suspended, with immediate effect and until further notice, the export of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates, including cargo currently in transit. Only mining companies holding valid mining titles and approved beneficiation plants will be authorised to export minerals. Agents and third-party traders are no longer permitted to export on behalf of title holders. The apparent objective is to enforce compliance with national beneficiation targets and regulatory requirements.

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Richards Bay Coal Come Back

LBH Group | Africa — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:44:00 +0000

The latest 2025 data from the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) shows an 11% YOY increase in #coal export volumes, hitting over 57 million tons. (While, of course, this is 30% less than the peak achieved in 2017, a turnaround needs to start somewhere.)

We have broken this data down to understand which countries have been the driving force behind increase.

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Big LNG News

LBH Group | Africa — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:44:00 +0000

The LBH Africa team are delighted to read and hear the news as announced by President of Mozambique Mr Chapo and Mr Pouyanne of Total.

We congratulate both parties for dealing with terrible and tough security situations, prolonged negotiations and finally a successful re-commencement of the construction of this huge project in Mozambique.

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MPDC is Crushing it – Well Done!

LBH Group | Africa — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:44:00 +0000

Club of Mozambique reports: “Mozambique’s Maputo port, the country’s largest, handled a record 32 million ‍metric tons ‍of cargo in 2025, driven by expanded capacity and higher freight rail volumes”, the harbour’s operator said on ⁠Tuesday.

The port, which handles bulk shipments of minerals such ⁠as chrome, iron ‌ore and coal as well as agricultural commodities, saw volumes rise from 30.9 million metric ⁠tons in 2024, the Maputo Port Development Company (MPDC) said in a statement.

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Sugar Facts – A Shifting Market

LBH Group | Africa — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:44:02 +0000

Sugar import operations via the Port of #Durban in progress.

Over the past 20 years, #sugar production in KwaZulu-Natal and southern Mpumalanga has dropped by nearly 25% — squeezed by drought, extreme weather, and competition from low-cost imports.
Today, about 70% of South Africa’s sugar is sold within the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). The rest finds its way to Africa, Asia and the Middle East. But exports have been shrinking fast, while imports, especially from Brazil, rise steadily.

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SA’s Manganese Might

LBH Group | Africa — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 12:44:02 +0000

Manganese, a critical mineral for steel production and the booming electric vehicle (EV) battery industry, has a rich history in South Africa.

Discovered in the 19th century, manganese mining took off in the Northern Cape’s Kalahari Basin, where over 70% of the world’s manganese resources lie.

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Mozambique Greenlights Major Port Concessions

LBH Group | Africa — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:44:02 +0000

Mozambique greenlights major port concessions to boost mineral exports and regional trade.

Africa Ports and Ships reports: “In a significant move to enhance its maritime infrastructure and stimulate regional economic growth, the Government of Mozambique has approved the concession of two key port terminals: the Chongoene Mineral Terminal in Gaza Province and the Pemba Port and Logistics Terminal in Cabo Delgado.”

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