Iron ore exports from Port Hedland reported a 6.55% month-on-month surge in May 2021, buoyed by the strengthening demand from China. Exports to Beijing increased by nearly 11%, from 36.29 million tonnes in April 2021 to 40.18 million tonnes in May 2021.
China accounted for 83.64% of Australia’s total Iron Ore exports of 48.05 million tonnes for May 2021 as per the latest data on Cargo Stats by Destinations from Port of Port Hedland.
After China, the next highest-volume destinations for Port Hedland iron ore were South Korea at 7.10%, followed by Japan at 5.15%.
Port Hedland Export Data – May 2021. Data source: Pilbara Ports AuthorityChina data
China imported 40.18 million tonnes of Iron Ore in May 2021 from Port of Port Hedland, which is a 6.93% drop Year-over-Year compared to the 43.18 million tonnes in May 2020, and a 10.72% surge compared to April 2021 data of 36.29 million tonnes.
Republic of Korea
With an import of 34.08 million tonnes of Iron Ore in May 2021 from Port of Port Hedland, the Republic of Korea’s imports vaulted by nearly 49% compared to 22.88 million tonnes in May 2020. However, this is a 20.64% decline compared to April 2021 data of 42.94 million tonnes.
Japan
The Japanese import of Iron Ore for May 2021 from Port of Port Hedland declined by nearly 13% to 24.77 million tonnes compared to April 2021 data of 28.51 million tonnes. The country’s total imports for May 2021 surged by a massive 152% Year Over Year, compared to 9.83 million tonnes in May 2020.
Indonesia
From Port of Port Hedland, the Iron Ore imports by Indonesia for May 2021 dropped by 48.18% to 0.361 million tonnes, compared to April 2021 data of 0.697 million tonnes. Indonesia, which accounted for 0.76% of the 48.05 million tonnes for the month, reported a 23.30% decline in imports year-over-year compared to May 2020 data of 0.471 million tonnes.
Taiwan
Taiwan, Province of China, imported 0.448 million tonnes of Iron Ore from Port of Port Hedland in May 2021, accounting for 0.93% of 48.05 million tonnes for the month. This translates to a 37.72% drop YoY compared to May 2020 data of 0.720 million tonnes and a 20.40% decline compared to April 2021 data of 0.563 million tonnes.
Other countries
Viet Nam’s share of Iron Ore imports from Port of Port Hedland stood at 0.753 million tonnes, which is a massive 114.73% increase compared to April 2021 data of 0.351 million tonnes. The Netherlands imported 0.156 million tonnes of Iron Ore, while Malaysia’s share of imports stood at 0.077 million tonnes.
