At first light off the coast of Morebaya, history moved quietly across calm waters. A barge carrying high-grade Simandou iron ore cut steadily toward the offshore transshipment point, completing a journey that began high in Guinea’s mountains, deep within one of the world’s most significant untapped iron ore deposits. On board, following that same path, was SimFer Managing Director Chris Aitchison.
The ore started at the top of the Simandou mountain range – it was mined, crushed, and transported along the newly constructed rail corridor all the way to the other side of the country to the port of Morebaya. There, it was loaded onto barges for the 25-nautical-mile voyage, where it was transferred onto the ocean-going vessel RTM Cartier, operated by Anglo Eastern.
For the first time in history, a SimFer-chartered vessel was loaded entirely with 201,000 tonnes of exclusively SimFer iron ore. Climbing aboard RTM Cartier, Chris met the captain and crew and commemorated the milestone by presenting the team onboard with a symbolic plaque.
Chris Aitchison, SimFer Managing Director proudly stood on the deck of the ship and reflected on the importance of this moment: “I’ve watched this ore’s entire journey. From being mined in our great mountains to being crushed, transported by rail, brought to port and now loaded onto the vessel. This moment honours the thousands of people across the SimFer project who have played their part in unlocking our ability to move this ore into the global market.”
For Guinea, this milestone signals the emergence of a new driver of long-term economic growth. For the global iron ore industry, it introduces a significant new source of high-grade supply. For the thousands who built it, it is proof that vision has become reality. Simandou is no longer a promise. It is in motion.