In December 2009, iron ore shipments from Australia's Port Hedland increased by 39.8 percent year on year and were up 6.27 percent month on month, totaling 14.87 million metric tons, according to the Port Hedland Port Authority. Meanwhile, iron ore exports loading out from Port Hedland in 2009 increased by 22.85 percent year on year, reaching 153.9 million metric tons.
According to the released information, iron ore shipments made from Port Hedland to China amounted to 11.17 million metric tons in December 2009, increasing by 69.92 percent year on year and up 15.44 percent compared to November 2009. Japan was the second largest export destination for iron ore shipments from Port Hedland, with shipments totaling 1.51 million metric tons - down 9.65 percent year on year and down 1.15 percent over November.
Port Hedland handles production from mines owned by BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group in the iron ore-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia.