By Rhiannon Hoyle
SYDNEY--Iron ore exports from Australia's Port Hedland fell 4.4%
in June from May to 21.5 million metric tons, the Port Hedland Port
Authority said Monday.
Total shipments were up 16% on year from 18.6 million tons in
June 2011.
Port Hedland, one of the world's largest export terminals for
iron ore, is BHP Billiton Ltd.'s (BHP) main Australian iron ore
port. Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (FMG.AU) and Atlas Iron Ltd.
(AGO.AU) also ship from it.
China, the world's biggest importer of iron ore, is the top
destination for the steel-making ingredient from the port.
According to the authority, 16.1 million tons--or 75% of the total
shipped volume--were destined for China.
About 12%, or 2.5 million tons, was headed for Japan and 9%, or
1.9 million tons, was headed for South Korea.
Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at rhiannon.hoyle@wsj.com