Port Hedland Iron-Ore Exports Rise on Demand from China, Taiwan

   By Rhiannon Hoyle 
 

SYDNEY--Iron-ore exports from Australia's Port Hedland rose 4% in April compared with the previous month, underpinned by higher Chinese demand and a more-than-doubling in shipments to Taiwan.

Overall, more than 26.0 million metric tons of the steelmaking ingredient were shipped during the month, up from 24.9 million tons in March, the Port Hedland Port Authority said.

Exports to China, the world's biggest importer of iron ore by volume, rose 1% during the month to 19.3 million tons.

Shipments to Taiwan increased sharply to 1.1 million tons, while exports to South Korea also rose.

Mining companies like BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP), Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (FMG.AU) and Atlas Iron Ltd. (AGO.AU) use Port Hedland, making it one of the world's largest iron-ore export terminals.

Exports rose 26% in April compared with the same month a year earlier as Australian miners expanded their operations. Shipments to China rose 30% on year.

Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at [e-mail]