Australia’s iron ore export shipments dropped 8% in Apr’21 to 68.1 million tonnes (mn t) as compared to 73.7 mn t in Mar’21, according to the vessel line-up data maintained with SteelMint. On a yearly basis too, export shipments were down 9% compared to 68.1 mn t in Apr’20.
Australian iron ore exports dropped in Apr’21 due to weather-related issues. Two cyclones hampered vessel berthing at Headland, Dampier and Walcott between 7-10 Apr’21.
Australia iron ore exports: Apr’21 v/s Mar’21
Qty in mn t
Source: SteelMint Stats
Provisional data
Average iron ore prices peaked in Apr’21: The monthly average global iron ore fines (Fe 62%) index increased to $178.5/t, CFR China in Apr’21 against $168/t, CFR China in Mar’21.
Exports from Port Hedland fell 4% in Apr’21: In Apr’21, Port Hedland exported 43.8 mn t of iron ore against 48.5 mn t in Mar’21, registering a 4% drop m-o-m. Walcott stood as the second-largest exporter at 12 mn t, followed by Dampier at 10.7 mn t, Esperance at 0.91 mn t, and Geraldton at 0.65 mn t.
Key miners’ performance highlights
- Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore shipment guidance remains unchanged at 325-340 mn t for CY’21.
- Australia’s leading miner,Fortescue Metals Group (FMG), has set FY’21 (July 20-June’21) iron ore shipment guidance at 178-182 mn t. The miner has increased the guidance against its last announcement of 175-180 mn t.
Outlook
Rising production curbs in China may continue to hinder Australian iron ore exports for the upcoming months. Also, the escalating tensions in Sino-Australian relations would be another factor to govern the iron ore trade this year.
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