Australian lithium loading tonnage edged up in November against October, according to data compiled by Argus, likely hitting the second-highest monthly volume this year on the back of stronger spodumene prices.
Total bulk lithium shipments out of Australian ports were estimated around 402,300t in November, higher than a relatively weak October that followed a record level in September, according to data from vessel tracking firm Kpler compiled by Argus. The vast majority of the shipments are likely spodumene. China is historically Australia's primary spodumene consumer.
Bunbury port and Port Hedland were estimated to have loaded near 155,700t and 122,000t of lithium, up by 21pc and 2.5pc on the month, respectively.
Lithium producers such as PLS, Mineral Resources (MinRes), Covalent Lithium as well as the country's Greenbushes mine — run by Australian mining group IGO alongside major Chinese firm Tianqi Lithium and US-based producer Albemarle — transport their spodumene to the two ports for export.
Australian lithium producer Liontown Resources' Kathleen Valley project sits near the Geraldton port, which was estimated to have shipped out more than 44,500t of lithium in November.
Esperance port loaded about 61,400t of lithium, up by 87pc on the month. MinRes' Mount Marion operation, which is 50pc-owned by major Chinese lithium producer Ganfeng, sends its spodumene to Esperance for export.
The Port of Fremantle shipped out more than 18,600t of lithium, according to Kpler data.
As of 3 December, Australian ports are expected to load at least 271,400t of lithium in the month, the latest Kpler data show. This suggests a potentially stronger December loading volume, given the comparatively lower figure reported in early November.
Argus-assessed prices for 6pc grade lithium concentrate (spodumene) rose from $920–980/t cif China on 4 November to $1,170–1,235/t on 2 December. Chinese salt plants were active in securing sufficient feedstock for the first quarter of 2026 and were in no hurry to finalise spodumene prices despite price uptrend.
