Wandlungen in der Eisenerzversorgung der Nachkriegszeit. Gegenwärtige Forschungs- und Entwicklungsaufgaben der Eisen- und Stahlerzeugung

Besides coke, iron ore is the most important raw material for the iron and steel industry. With the increase in crude steel production, world consumption of iron ore, during recent years, has arrived at a figure of approximately 550 million tpy. Since the end of World War II there has been a pronounced shift in ore supply towards overseas sources. In 1964, the overseas trade of the western steel manufacturing countries has handled 137 million tons, with the German Federal Republic receiving more than 28 million tons. The tremendous development in the field of transportation has been a decisive factor in opening the way to overseas mines. Vessels of between 30.000 and 60.000 deadweight tons are quite common today as ore carriers, while vessels of up to 100.000 dwt are already on the drawing board. Furthermore, due attention must be paid to the efficiency of inland trans­ portation, i. e., railroad construction and ore haulage from the mine to the port of loading; capacity of the port installations at both terminals, and transport from the port of discharge to the blast furnace plant (pusher navigation).