In January this year, iron ore shipments from Australia's Port Hedland increased by 10.49 percent year on year and were up 1.28 percent month on month, totaling 15.06 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 11.04 million metric tons in January, increasing by 12.31 percent year on year and down 1.14 percent compared to December 2009. Japan was the second largest export destination for iron ore shipments from Port Hedland, with shipments totaling 1.67 million metric tons - down 27.03 percent year on year and up 11.06 percent over December 2009.
Port Hedland handles production from mines owned by BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals Group in the iron ore-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia.