In April this year, iron ore shipments from Australia's Port Hedland increased by 28.79 percent year on year and were down 1.71 percent month on month, totaling 14.59 million metric tons, according to Port Hedland Port Authority.
According to the released information, iron ore shipments made from Port Hedland to China amounted to 10.9 million metric tons in April, increasing by 18.85 percent year on year and up 16.81 percent compared to March 2010. Japan was the second largest export destination for iron ore shipments from Port Hedland, with shipments totaling 1.59 million metric tons - up 102.25 percent year on year and down 15.19 percent over March. Japan was followed by South Korea, with iron ore exports at 1.39 millon metric tons, up 46.2 percent year on year and down 40.65 percent month on month.
Port Hedland handles production from mines owned by BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group in the iron ore-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia.