Following the comprehensive implementation of Indonesia's nickel ore export ban in 2020, the Philippines emerged as the primary global supplier of laterite nickel ore, playing a critical role in sustaining China's vast nickel pig iron (NPI) and stainless steel industries. More recently, as processing capacities in Indonesia continue to surge, Philippine ore is also increasingly being routed to Indonesian industrial hubs, such as IWIP, to supplement regional supply chains and meet specific smelting requirements.
As cross-border shipping activity intensifies along these crucial maritime corridors, the cost of ocean freight，highly sensitive to seasonal weather patterns, vessel availability, and fuel fluctuations—has a profound impact on the final landed cost of the ore. Market participants across the international supply chain, from Philippine miners to smelters in China and Indonesia, require a clear and reliable benchmark for these freight costs. The establishment of a transparent pricing mechanism is now essential to bring greater clarity and efficiency to daily trading and procurement operations.
Historically, SMM has provided Philippine nickel ore freight rates focused on Lianyungang and Tianjin ports.
However, as trade dynamics evolve, routes to Tianjin have become increasingly less active, and current data for Lianyungang lacks the necessary regional specificity. To better align with market realities, SMM will discontinue these legacy price points and transition to a more granular reporting framework. This new system will track logistics costs originating from specific Philippine mining districts to major smelting hubs across both China and Indonesia, providing stakeholders with more precise and relevant benchmarking tools.
In response to this pressing market need and to support the stability of the global nickel trade, SMM is launching a dedicated suite of five key price assessments for Philippine nickel ore ocean freight. Covering vital routes from major Philippine loading anchorages (Surigao and Zambales) to primary destination ports in China (Ningde and Lianyungang) and Indonesia (IWIP), this publication provides an accurate, timely, and independent benchmark for standard 50,000–55,000 tonnes vessels. By bridging the information gap, these specific price points aim to empower stakeholders to negotiate with confidence, mitigate logistical risks, and optimize their international supply chain planning.
Effective May 18, 2026, SMM will begin the official publication of its Phillipines Nickel Ore Ocean Freight Fee price points from major mining areas to major ports in China and Indonesia, which will include:
Details of this price point are as follows:
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Description: Philippines to China Ocean Freight Fee (Surigao main ports to Lianyungang Port), USD/wmt
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Quantity: 50,000-55,000 tonnes
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Definition: Philippines to China Nickel Ore Ocean Freight Fee
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Unit: USD/wmt
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Payment Terms: TT at sight in USD , other payment terms normalized
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Publication: Daily, 12.00 AM Beijing Time
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Description: Philippines to China Ocean Freight Fee (Surigao main ports to Ningde Port), USD/wmt
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Quantity: 50,000-55,000 tonnes
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Definition: Philippines to China Nickel Ore Ocean Freight Fee
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Unit: USD/wmt
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Payment Terms: TT at sight in USD , other payment terms normalized
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Publication: Daily, 12.00 AM Beijing Time
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Description: Philippines to China Ocean Freight Fee (Zambales main ports to Lianyungang Port), USD/wmt
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Quantity: 50,000-55,000 tonnes
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Definition: Philippines to China Nickel Ore Ocean Freight Fee
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Unit: USD/wmt
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Payment Terms: TT at sight in USD , other payment terms normalized
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Publication: Daily, 12.00 AM Beijing Time
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Description: Philippines to China Ocean Freight Fee (Zambales main ports to Ningde Port), USD/wmt
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Quantity: 50,000-55,000 tonnes
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Definition: Philippines to China Nickel Ore Ocean Freight Fee
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Unit: USD/wmt
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Payment Terms: TT at sight in USD , other payment terms normalized
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Publication:Daily, 12.00 AM Beijing Time
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Description: Philippines to Indonesia Ocean Freight Fee (Surigao main ports to IWIP Port), USD/wmt
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Quantity: 50,000-55,000 tonnes
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Definition: Philippines to Indonesia Nickel Ore Ocean Freight Fee
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Unit: USD/wmt
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Payment Terms: TT at sight in USD , other payment terms normalized
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Publication: Daily, 11.30 AM Jakarta Time