In September this year, iron ore shipments from Australia's Port Hedland improved by 8.76 percent year on year and were up 15.32 percent month on month, totaling 15.67 million metric tons, according to Port Hedland Port Authority. In August, iron ore exports from Port Hedland had decreased by 7.08 percent compared to the previous month.
According to the released information, iron ore shipments made from Port Hedland to China amounted to 10.83 million metric tons in September, increasing by 15.38 percent year on year and were up 11.48 percent as compared to August. Japan was the second largest export destination for iron ore shipments from Port Hedland, with shipments totaling 2.55 million metric tons - up 8.43 percent year on year and climbing by 81.58 percent over August. Japan was followed by South Korea, with iron ore exports at 1.2 millon metric tons, declining by 22.37 percent year on year and down 20.46 percent month on month.
Port Hedland handles production from mines owned by BHP Billiton, Fortescue Metals Group and Atlas Iron in the iron ore-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia.