In August 2024, iron ore shipments from Australia’s Port Hedland rose by 10.9% month-on-month, totaling 47,852,214 metric tons, although this reflects a slight decrease of 0.1% compared to the same month last year. According to the Port Hedland Port Authority, shipments to China reached 40.73 million metric tons, marking a 19.4% increase from July and a 1.4% rise year-on-year. South Korea and Japan followed, receiving 3.59 million metric tons and 1.59 million metric tons, respectively.
Port Hedland is a key export hub for major mining companies, including BHP Billiton, Atlas Iron, and Fortescue Metals Group, which operate in the iron ore-rich Pilbara region of Western Australia. The port's performance highlights ongoing demand for iron ore, particularly from China, despite fluctuations in the global market.