Port authority data said that December saw a new high in iron ore exports from Port Hedland, with an increase of 20% MoM to 26.0 million tonne.
This took the annual total for 2012 to 252.0 million tonne, up by 34.7 million tonne or 16% on the corresponding 2011 level. China remained the largest destination, accounting for 76% of total exports, with an increase of 22% YoY. Shipments to Japan and South Korea in 2012 were unchanged on 2011, at a combined 50 million tonne.