* Dalian iron ore set for first weekly gain in three
* Physical iron ore prices creep towards 9-year high
* Hebei transport curbs push coking coal prices higher
By Enrico Dela Cruz
MANILA, Jan 8 (Reuters) - China's iron ore futures rose for a sixth straight session on Friday, putting the benchmark contract on track for its first weekly gain since mid-December, as steel mills and traders replenished stocks ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.
Market participants also kept a wary eye on the COVID-19 outbreak in China's Hebei province surrounding Beijing, analysts and traders said.
The most-traded iron ore for May delivery on the Dalian Commodity Exchange DCIOcv1 gained as much as 3.5% to 1,079 yuan ($166.93) a tonne, its strongest since Dec. 22.
Iron ore on the Singapore Exchange SZZFF1 climbed 0.9% to $169.30 a tonne.
The restocking demand pushed iron ore spot prices above $170 a tonne on Thursday, based on SteelHome consultancy data SH-CCN-IRNOR62 , creeping higher towards a nine-year peak hit last month.
"As a major steel(-producing) province, changes in steel mills' (operations in Hebei) and logistics will cause fluctuations in the steel market and futures," analysts at Sinosteel Futures said in a note. the outbreak has raised concerns over transport restrictions and the movement of workers, commodity strategists at ING said raw material inventories at major mills reportedly remained ample so far.
"Thus, no immediate risks," they said. "Investors are focusing on how soon the outbreak will come under control, and when logistic restrictions will be removed in the province."
The restrictions in Hebei have also affected the shipment of other steel feedstocks such as coking coal and coke.
Dalian coking coal for May delivery DJMcv1 jumped as much as 7.1% to a contract high of 1,825.50 yuan a tonne in early trade. Coke, the processed form of coking or metallurgical coal, climbed 0.8% DCJcv1 .
Construction steel rebar on the Shanghai Futures Exchange SRBcv1 rose 0.8%, while hot-rolled coil SHHCcv1 advanced 0.5%. Stainless steel SHSScv1 slipped 0.8% after scaling the highest in more than two months on Thursday.