Australia – world’s largest iron ore exporter has recorded increase of4% in its yearly iron ore export shipments in CY17. According to the vessel line up data maintained with SteelMint, The exports for the year CY’17 were recorded at 841.10 MnT against 808 MnT in CY16. Increased supplies from Australia’s major miners like BHP Billiton and FMG have reported an increase in iron ore shipments this year, resulting in increased volumes from Australia.
Australia’s iron ore export shipments increased by 12% M-o-M to 79.31 MnT in Dec’17 compared to 70.75 MnT in Nov’17.
China’s iron ore imports from Australia at around 696 MnT
China continued to record highest imports from Australia in Dec’17 with 83% of total share. However, it showed an increase of 11% M-o-M in imports and stood at 65.90 MnT in Dec’17 as against 59.62 MnT in Nov’17. Japan stood the second largest importer of Australian iron ore with 9% share in Dec’17, up 21% M-o-M to 6.83 MnT as against 5.65 MnT in Nov’17, followed by Korea (4.49 MnT) and Taiwan (1.54 MnT). Iron ore export shipments from Australia to India recorded 0.19 MnT in Dec’17.
In CY17, Australia’s iron ore exports to China were recorded at 696 MnT. Other major importers were Japan (73.9 MnT), Korea (46.5 MnT)and Taiwan (17.3 MnT).
Country-wise Australia iron ore Exports-:
| Country | CY’17 | % Share |
| China | 695.91 | 82.74% |
| Japan | 73.91 | 8.79% |
| Korea | 46.48 | 5.53% |
| Taiwan | 17.31 | 2.06% |
| Indonesia | 3.26 | 0.39% |
| N/A | 1.19 | 0.14% |
| Vietnam | 0.9 | 0.11% |
| India | 0.6 | 0.07% |
| Others | 1.53 | 0.18% |
| Grand Total | 841.1 | 100% |
Qty in MnT
Source: SteelMint Stats and GAC Shipping,
Provisional Data
Port-wise Australia iron ore export for CY’17:
Hedland marked the largest iron ore exporting port from Australia at 492.35 MnT for the year CY’17, contributing 59% of the total share, followed by Walcott at 189.43 MnT with 23% share.
On monthly basis, Hedland port contributed 57% share in Dec’17 with highest iron ore export shipments. Iron ore exports from Port Hedland were up 8% M-o-M to 45.04 MnT in Dec’17 against 41.61 MnT iron ore in Nov’17 followed by Walcott with 24% share of iron ore export, up 18% M-o-M to 18.96 MnT in Dec’17.
Port-wise Australia iron ore Exports in CY17-:
| Port | CY’17 |
| Headland | 492.35 |
| Walcott | 189.43 |
| Dampier | 134.87 |
| Geraldton | 11.48 |
| Esperance | 8.7 |
| Kwinana | 4.27 |
| Grand Total | 841.1 |
Qty in MnT
Source: SteelMint Stats and GAC Shipping,
Provisional Data
As per reports, Australia forecasts 20 percent iron ore price drop in 2018 amid rising global supply and moderating demand from the top importer – China.

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