By Stephen Bell
Special to Dow Jones Newswires
PERTH--Iron-ore exports from Australia's Port Hedland fell in
September, as shipments to China eased, port authority figures
showed Thursday.
Exports from Port Hedland, one of the world's largest iron-ore
terminals, fell 13% from August to 19.9 million metric tons. The
port is the hub most used by BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) for its
iron-ore exports. Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (FMG.AU) and Atlas
Iron Ltd. (AGO.AU) also ship from there.
Demand for iron ore from China, the world's biggest importer of
the steelmaking ingredient, has been falling in tandem with an
economic slowdown.
Port Hedland shipped 15.1 million tons--or 76% of total volume
shipped--to China in September, down from 16.7 million tons a month
earlier, the port authority said.
Shipments from the port to other key export markets, including
Japan and South Korea, also fell, it said.
Write to Stephen Bell at djnews@dowjones.com
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