Iron ore exports via Australia’s Port Hedland down 16 percent in Feb from Jan

In February this year, iron ore shipments from Australia's Port Hedland decreased 1.45 percent year on year and were down 16.19 percent month on month, totaling 12.85 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 9.03 million metric tons in February, increasing by 3.54 percent year on year and down 9.37 percent as compared to January. In February, iron ore exports to China accounted for 70.3 percent of total iron ore exports from Port Hedland, compared to 67 percent in February 2010.
 
South Korea was the second largest export destination for iron ore shipments from Port Hedland in February, with shipments totaling 1.53 million metric tons - up 10.52 percent year on year and down by 5.67 percent over January. Japan imported 1.47 million metric tons of iron ore from Port Hedland in February, decreasing by 24 percent year on year and down 48 percent month on month.
 
Port Hedland handles production from mines owned by BHP Billiton, Fortescue Metals Group and Atlas Iron in the iron ore-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia.