In May this year, iron ore shipments from Australia's Port Hedland increased by 21.28 percent year on year and were up 14.69 percent month on month, totaling 18.22 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 12.53 million metric tons in May, improving by 26 percent year on year and up 12 percent compared to April 2011. Japan was the second largest export destination for iron ore shipments from Port Hedland, with shipments totaling 2.34 million metric tons - down 2.58 percent year on year and up 11 percent over April. Japan was followed by South Korea, with iron ore exports at 2.29 millon metric tons, up 34 percent year on year and up 33 percent month on month.
Port Hedland handles production from mines owned by BHP Billiton, Atlas Iron and Fortescue Metals Group in the iron ore-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia.