Australia: Iron Ore Exports Down Marginally in CY19

Australia – world’s largest iron ore exporter has recorded marginal drop in iron ore shipment for CY’19, according to the vessel line up data maintained with SteelMint. Australia’s iron ore export shipments recorded at 847.96 MnT in CY’19, as compared to 852.68 MnT in CY’18.

Australian iron ore exports have dropped by about 5 MnT in CY19 amid dealing with aftermath of Australian Cyclone of Mar’19 which led to various major miners in Australia reduce the production guidance for the year. Also, the global spot iron ore fines (Fe 63%) index increased to as high as monthly average of USD 120/MT, CFR china in the month of Jul’19.

For Dec’19, the total Australian iron ore exports increased to 79.54 MnT up 11% as against 71.90 MnT in Nov’19.

Australian exports to China up slightly in CY19
China marked the largest importer of Australian iron ore in CY’19 at 695.03 MnT, against 693.44 MnT in CY’18. Japan stood second-largest importer for the month at 66.02 MnT (down 9% Y-o-Y) followed by Korea at 55.76 MnT.

Australian exports to India recorded 97% drops to 0.19 MnT in CY19 as compared to 6.85 MnT in CY18.

Qty in MnT
Source: SteelMint Stats and GAC Shipping,
Provisional Data

Port Hedland accounted for 61% of exports in CY19
In CY’19, Port Hedland exported 513.27 MnT, up slightly against 508.1 MnT in CY18. Walcott stood second largest exporter at 183.21 MnT, followed by Dampier at 136.21 MnT.