In February this year, iron ore shipments from Australia's Port Hedland increased by 6.89 percent year on year and were down 13.34 percent month on month, totaling 13.05 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 8.73 million metric tons in February, increasing by 6.29 percent year on year and down 13.34 percent compared to January 2010. Japan was the second largest export destination for iron ore shipments from Port Hedland, with shipments totaling 1.94 million metric tons - down 2.06 percent year on year and up 15.92 percent over January. Japan was followed by South Korea, with iron ore exports at 1.39 millon metric tons, down 6.82 percent year on year and down 3.8 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.