Australia – world’s largest iron ore exporter has recorded fall in export shipments in Feb’18.
According to the vessel line up data maintained with SteelMint, Australia’s iron ore export shipments declined by 6% M-o-M to 65.51 MnT in Feb’18 compared to 69.79 MnT in Jan’18. Falling demand from Australia’s largest importer – China, resulted in fall in Australia shipment volumes. The Chinese steel market was shut during the Lunar new year holidays (15th Feb-21st Feb), owing to which the iron ore trade activities remained on the lower side.
The Y-o-Y Australian exports witnessed marginal increase of 5% in Feb’18 as against 62.37 MnT in Feb’17.
Furthermore, Australian govt expects 20% iron ore price drop in 2018, amid reduced Chinese iron ore demand.
China’s iron ore imports from Australia in Feb’18 drops to one year low:
China continued to record highest imports from Australia in Feb’18 with 81% of total Australian export share. However, it depicted a decline of 8% M-o-M in imports and stood at 53.11 MnT in Feb’18 as against 57.83 MnT in Jan’18. In Feb’18, China imports from Australia stood lowest since Feb’17.
Japan stood the second highest importer of Australian iron ore in Feb’18 with 11% share, up 10% M-o-M to 7.02 MnT as against 6.39 MnT in Jan’18, followed by Korea at 3.07 MnT (up 3% M-o-M) and Taiwan at 1.20 MnT (down 19% M-o-M).
Iron ore export shipments from Australia to India recorded at 0.39 MnT in Feb’18, up 40% M-o-M. Shipments to Vietnam, Turkey and Hong Kong stood at 0.34 MnT, 0.17 MnT and 0.05 MnT respectively, which stood nil a month before.
Country-wise Exports Feb’18 Vs Jan’18
| Country | Feb’18 | % Share | Jan’18 | M-o-M (%) |
| China | 53.11 | 81% | 57.83 | -8% |
| Japan | 7.02 | 11% | 6.39 | 10% |
| Korea | 3.07 | 5% | 2.97 | 3% |
| Taiwan | 1.20 | 2% | 1.49 | -19% |
| India | 0.39 | 0.6% | 0.28 | 40% |
| Vietnam | 0.34 | 0.5% | 0.00 | 100% |
| Indonesia | 0.18 | 0.3% | 0.18 | 0% |
| Turkey | 0.17 | 0.3% | 0.00 | 100% |
| Hong Kong | 0.05 | 0.1% | 0.00 | 100% |
| Others | 0.00 | 0% | 0.65 | -100% |
| Grand Total | 65.51 | 100% | 69.79 | -6% |
Qty in MnT
Source: SteelMint Stats and GAC Shipping,
Provisional Data
Port Headland iron ore export falls to 7-month low in Feb’18:
Headland was largest iron ore exporting port from Australia with 59% share in Feb’18 iron ore export shipments. Exports from Port Hedland were down 7% M-o-M to 38.37 MnT in Feb’18 against 41.12 MnT in Jan’18, followed by Walcott with 22% share (down 9% M-o-M) to 14.45 MnT in Feb’18. Iron ore exports from Port Hedland have fallen to lowest in last 7 months as in Jul’17 it stood at 37.42 MnT.
Port-wise Export Feb’18 vs Jan’18
| Port | Feb’18 | % Share | Jan’18 | % Share | M-o-M (%) |
| Headland | 38.37 | 59% | 41.12 | 59% | -7% |
| Walcott | 14.45 | 22% | 15.80 | 23% | -9% |
| Dampier | 11.28 | 17% | 10.92 | 16% | 3% |
| Geraldton | 0.81 | 1% | 1.14 | 2% | -29% |
| Esperance | 0.32 | 0% | 0.48 | 1% | -33% |
| Kwinana | 0.29 | 0% | 0.33 | 0% | -14% |
| Grand Total | 65.51 | 100% | 69.79 | 100% | -6% |
Qty in MnT
Source: SteelMint Stats and GAC Shipping,
Provisional Data
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