Australian lithium loading tonnage was estimated to have hit its highest level since the start of the year in September, likely driven by the lithium industry peak season in China around this time of the year.
Australian ports were estimated to have loaded around 445,400t of bulk lithium shipments in September, the vast majority of which is likely to be spodumene given the country's relatively nascent lithium chemical output, according to vessel tracking firm Kpler's data compiled by Argus, which can be downloaded here. Most of Australia's spodumene is exported to China, making up close to 94pc in the first half of 2025, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data supplied through Global Trade Tracker (GTT).
About 230,000t of lithium was estimated to have shipped out from Western Australia's (WA) Bunbury port in September, more than triple against a month earlier and the highest for the year, according to the compiled data. Lithium shipments loaded at Bunbury come from the Greenbushes mine, one of the industry's most cost-efficient spodumene mining operations run by Australian mining group IGO alongside major Chinese firm Tianqi Lithium and US-based producer Albemarle, or from producer Covalent Lithium.
Covalent Lithium is a 50:50 joint venture backed by Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers and Chilean lithium producer SQM. Spodumene production at its Mount Holland site is still undergoing a ramp-up, and the group expects higher output in the coming financial year.
Port Hedland, which sits in WA's Pilbara region, shipped out close to 166,200t in September, also the highest so far this year, according to the data. Australian iron ore and lithium producer Mineral Resources (MinRes) transports the spodumene from its Wodgina site to Port Hedland for export, it said. The Pilgangoora project by lithium producer PLS, formerly known as Pilbara Minerals, also sits just 140km away from the port.
Esperance Port — operated by Southern Ports — loaded a little over 49,200t of lithium in the month. MinRes transports the spodumene out of its Mount Marion operation, which is 50pc-owned by major Chinese lithium producer Ganfeng, to Esperance for export, said MinRes.
Australian ports are on track to load at least 396,500t of lithium in October, according to the latest compiled data.
Argus-assessed prices for 6pc grade lithium concentrate (spodumene) rose to $830-880/t cif China on 21 October from $800-835/t cif China a week earlier, boosted by growing buying interest from the Chinese domestic salts market.
Enquiries for October-December spodumene cargoes remain strong and demand is still "quite good", said a trader, citing a strong Chinese energy storage sector in the fourth quarter through to 2026.
