The completion of this voyage marks the full operational status of the Simandou iron ore project, an integrated supply chain that spans mining, railways, ports (both domestic and international), and shipping. As a new and significant source of global iron ore supply, the project is expected to greatly enhance global iron ore production capacity, which is of immense importance Chinese steel manufacturers in need of raw materials.

Once fully operational, the project is expected to produce 120 million tons of high-quality iron ore annually. The Simandou iron ore project — whose production officially began in November 2025 — is one of the world’s largest and highest-grade deposits.