Platts Australian alumina daily assessment at $301/mt FOB was unchanged from Friday, but down $1/mt on the week on lackluster demand and unplaced cargoes.

Low aluminum prices and poor smelting margins have been keeping buyers in the sidelines.

In the last couple of days, sellers guidance has been at $315/mt CIF China, and met with few takers.

Platts assessed the Handysize freight rate at $13.40/mt on Friday for a 30,000 mt shipment in September from Western Australia to Lianyungang.

Monday’s freight assessment had not yet been finalized.

Platts China alumina assessment for Henan province was stable Monday at Yuan 2,350/mt ($384) for 70:30 cash and credit payment terms.