CONAKRY — Chinese shipping company China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) has secured a long-term maritime transportation agreement worth at least US$2.8 billion, strengthening the logistics network supporting Guinea’s Simandou iron ore development.
The agreement, announced at the end of September, covers a 25-year period and involves six very large ore carriers operated through the company’s wholly owned subsidiary, Hong Kong Ming Wah Shipping.
The contract represents a significant investment in the transport infrastructure connecting Guinea’s mineral resources with international markets, particularly China’s steel industry.
Simandou, located in southeastern Guinea, is one of the world’s major undeveloped high-grade iron ore deposits and is designed to achieve annual production capacity of up to 120 million tonnes once fully developed.
Under the agreement, Hong Kong Ming Wah will provide dedicated maritime transport capacity through six specialised vessels, each designed to carry approximately 343,000 deadweight tonnes.
CMES previously announced plans to commission the vessels through a shipbuilding programme valued at up to 4.93 billion yuan, approximately US$728 million.
Deliveries are scheduled between 2029 and 2030.
The latest shipping agreement follows earlier arrangements involving China Mineral Resources Group International Supply Chain, which holds maritime transport rights associated with Simandou. The counterparty to the newly signed contract was not publicly identified in the latest announcement.
The development illustrates the scale of the infrastructure and logistics investment required to support major African mining operations.
Beyond mineral extraction, projects such as Simandou depend on integrated rail, port and shipping systems capable of transporting large volumes of raw materials to overseas buyers.
For Guinea, the agreement adds another component to the commercial infrastructure supporting its expanding mining sector, while strengthening long-term trade connections with China.
It also demonstrates how Chinese participation in African resource projects increasingly extends across mining, transport infrastructure, shipbuilding and international logistics.