Australia’s Port Hedland Iron Ore Export Up by 10% in Aug’16

The world’s largest export terminal, Western Australia’s Port Hedland exported 42.8 MnT iron ore in Aug’16.

The volume of exports increased by 10.5% M-o-M from Port Hedland as compared to 38.7 MnT in Jul’16. On similar lines, exports rose by 9.4% in Aug’16 as it was 39.1 MnT in the same consecutive month last year.

In Aug’16, Port Hedland shipped around 83% share of iron ore to China, around4.4% share to Japan, 9.1% to Republic of Korea and 1.4% share to Taiwan. Exports from Port Hedland to China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Taiwan were 35.4 MnT, 1.98 MnT and 3.9 MnT and 0.62 MnT respectively.

Country-wise Port Hedland iron ore export in Aug’16

Source: SteelMint Research, Provisional data

Major share was exported to China, the world’s largest consumer of iron ore. As Port Hedland is basically used by BHP Billiton and FMG, iron ore exports to China rose to 35.44 MnT in August from 32.5 MnT in Jul’16. Besides, exports from Port Hedland to China rose by 4.4% on Y-o-Y basis.

Chinese import is likely to increase by the end of this year and may touch 1 BnT. Overall iron ore export shipments from Port Hedland is expected to rise in coming months as the new Roy Hill mine developed by Gina Rinehart ramps up production to full operating rates of around 55 MnT by the end of 2016.

Port Hedland has delivered a total throughput of around 446 MnT iron ore in 2015. BHP Billiton and FMG (Fortescue Metals Group) exports iron ore mainly from Australia’s Port Hedland, while Rio Tinto ships through Port Dampier.