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...