China’s Bauxite Imports Hit Record High
China has achieved a remarkable milestone in its bauxite imports, reaching approximately 213 million tonnes in 2025. This figure represents a 25% increase from the previous year and marks the fourth consecutive annual record since 2022. The surge in demand for this essential aluminium raw material has not only bolstered China’s import figures but has also significantly impacted global bauxite trade dynamics.
Global Bauxite Demand Soars
The increase in China’s bauxite imports has propelled worldwide discharges to an estimated 241.4 million tonnes in 2025, reflecting a 21% year-on-year growth. This surge has elevated bauxite’s share of global dry bulk tonne-mile demand to nearly 9%, a notable rise from 7% the previous year and a substantial increase from just over 2% a decade ago. Notably, China accounted for about 88% of all ocean-traded bauxite last year, the highest proportion recorded in the past ten years. According to Signal Ocean data, seaborne bauxite flows rose by 18% year-on-year, with China’s share of total imports increasing from 83% to 85%.
West Africa remains the primary source of bauxite supply, with Guinea contributing approximately 72% of global discharges in 2025. The country supplied around three-quarters of China’s bauxite imports, with shipments primarily originating from Kamsar and Boffa. The lengthy voyages from Kamsar to Qingdao, spanning over 11,400 nautical miles, have kept tonne-mile demand high, favoring larger vessels. In terms of shipping, Newcastlemaxes transported about 36% of global bauxite discharges, followed by capesizes at 28% and post-panamax tonnage at 16%, collectively accounting for 80% of the trade.
Aluminium Sector Resilience and Future Outlook
Behind these impressive shipping statistics lies a robust aluminium sector in China. The country’s primary aluminium production reached a record pace in 2025, with an estimated output of 40.4 million tonnes from January to November, according to the International Aluminium Institute. As copper supplies remain tight and prices soar, the trend of substituting aluminium has accelerated, helping maintain high smelter utilization rates.
Looking ahead, Signal Ocean anticipates that these trends will persist into early 2026. High energy costs in Europe and the United States have constrained aluminium supply in those regions, further solidifying China’s dependence on imported bauxite and supporting strong import flows in the first quarter of the upcoming year. In the dry bulk market, bauxite stands out as a bright spot, especially as iron ore and coal face a more subdued outlook that may dampen capesize demand. However, analysts caution that Guinea’s plans to expand domestic processing could pose a risk to seaborne volumes in the long term, though any significant impact is unlikely before the latter part of the decade.
