China is key to iron ore growth at Port Hedland

The Pilbara port exported 11.17m tonnes of iron ore to China in December, up from 9.68m tonnes a month earlier. Iron ore exports were 39% higher than December 2008.

China received 75% of all iron ore shipped from Port Hedland in December, making it the largest destination market for the port.

Japan was the next largest market, accounting for 1.51m tonnes.

Iron ore shipments to Japan and Korea fell in December with Taiwan recording the biggest decline of 41%.

Of the other cargo types, copper concentrate slipped to 44,479 tonnes from 52,963 tonnes in November, while salt shipments more than doubled to 145,564 tonnes.