World’s third largest iron ore miner- BHP has witnessed increased number of vessels at anchorage due to berthing delay amidst derailment at port Hedland – Newman railway line. Towards, the beginning of month the BHP iron ore train pulling 268 wagons, travelling from Newman to port Hedland suffered derailment, 120 km south of port Hedland in Western Australia’s Pilbara.
The incident led to temporary suspension of rail service at port Hedland by the miner, resulting in berthing delay. This consequently led to fall in material availability at the port, insufficient to meet export contracts by the miner. The total loading by the miner for the month has reduced compared to previous month. As per data maintained with SteelMint, total vessel at anchorage was recorded at 28 vessels as on 22nd Nov’18 which has increased to close to thrice against a month back.. However, the miner expects to soon resume normal supply of iron ore to port through rails.
Port Hedland is the world’s largest iron ore export port with a total annual throughput of 519 MnT tons in 2017/2018, according to Pilbara Ports Authority. Out of the total quantity of 519 MnT, 98% share constitutes iron ore.
| Date | Berthing Delay in Days | Average Delay | No of vessel at Anchorage |
| 29-Oct | 3-4 | 3.5 | 10 |
| 1-Nov | 4-5 | 4.5 | 13 |
| 5-Nov | 4-5 | 4.5 | 14 |
| 8-Nov | 4-5 | 4.5 | 17 |
| 12-Nov | 7-8 | 7.5 | 27 |
| 15-Nov | 7-9 | 8 | 28 |
| 19-Nov | 9-11 | 10 | 26 |
| 22-Nov | 9-12 | 11.5 | 28 |
Source: SteelMint Stats, Custom
Provisional data
BHP iron ore sales up 10% in Q3 CY18
The company’s total iron ore sales from Pilbara on 100% basis in quarter ended Sept’18 was recorded at 69.4 MnT, up 10% on yearly basis as against 63.3 MnT in similar quarter previous year. The sales for Q3 CY’18 depicted 3% drop on quarterly basis as compared to Q2 CY’18 sales at 71.4 MnT. The miner’s FY’19 production guidance on 100% basis is at 273-283 MnT.
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