Australia Iron Ore Export Shipments at 206 MnT in Q1 CY'18 - SteelMint Data
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Australia - world's largest iron ore exporter has recorded decline in export shipments in first quarter CY'18.
According to the vessel line up data maintained with SteelMint, Australia's iron ore export shipments declined by 7% Q-o-Q to 205.86 MnT in Q1 CY'18 compared to 221.49 MnT in Q4 CY'17. Australia's Roy Hill which has an annual capacity of about 55 MnT pa was hit by bad weather resulting in decline in export shipments in Jan and Feb'18.
However, on yearly basis the Q1 CY'18 exports marked marginal increase against 198.21 MnT in Q1 CY'17.
In Mar'18, Australian iron ore exports witnessed at 70.56 MnT, up 8% M-o-M against 65.51 MnT in Feb'18. However, on yearly basis exports depicted stability against 68.86 MnT in Mar'17.
China is largest destination (contributing 80- 85%) of Australian iron ore exports, hence, a change in Chinese market affects Australian exports. Chinese's government has extended steel production cuts, rendering shift towards high grade ore, in turn creating better opportunities for Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton (producers of high grade ore from Pilbara region).
China's iron ore imports from Australia in Q1 CY'18 drops by 9% Q-o-Q:
China marked the largest importer of Australian iron ore at 167.91 MnT, in Q1 CY'18 down 9% against 185.40 MnT Q4 CY'17. Chinese quarterly results depicted a downfall owing to winter heating season rendering steel production cuts, in addition to week long lunar New Year holidays (15th Feb-21st Feb) in China.
Japan stood the second largest importer in Q1 CY'18 at 20.03 MnT (up 8% Q-o-Q), followed by Korea at 10.62 MnT (down 12% Q-o-Q). India witnessed significant increase in imports at 1.41 MnT , up by around four fold Q-o-Q. The rise in imports is attributed to closure of mines in India's largest iron ore producing state - Odisha owing to illegal mining activities.
China continued to record highest imports from Australia in Mar'18 with 81% of total Australian export share. It depicted an increase of 7% M-o-M in imports at 56.97 MnT in Mar'18 as against 53.11 MnT in Feb'18. Japan at 6.63 MnT stood the second highest importer of Australian iron ore in Mar'18 (down 6% M-o-M) as against 7.02 MnT in Feb'18, followed by Korea at 4.59 MnT (up 50% M-o-M) and Taiwan at 1.31 MnT (up 9% M-o-M).
Iron ore export shipments from Australia to India recorded at 0.75 MnT in Mar'18, up 94% M-o-M. Shipments to Indonesia and Vietnam diminished in Mar'18 against being 0.18 and 0.34 MnT respectively in Feb'18.
Country-wise Exports Q1 CY'18 Vs Q4 CY'17
| Country | Mar'18 | Feb'18 | M-o-M (%) | Q1 CY'18 | Q4 CY'17 | Q-o-Q (%) |
| China | 56.97 | 53.11 | 7% | 167.91 | 185.40 | -9% |
| Japan | 6.63 | 7.02 | -6% | 20.03 | 18.47 | 8% |
| Korea | 4.59 | 3.07 | 50% | 10.62 | 12.08 | -12% |
| Taiwan | 1.31 | 1.20 | 9% | 4.00 | 3.50 | 14% |
| India | 0.75 | 0.39 | 94% | 1.41 | 0.36 | 290% |
| Indonesia | 0.00 | 0.18 | -100% | 0.36 | 0.95 | -62% |
| Vietnam | 0.00 | 0.34 | -100% | 0.34 | 0.53 | -36% |
| UK | 0.17 | 0.00 | 100% | 0.34 | 0.00 | 100% |
| Others | 0.16 | 0.22 | -24% | 0.86 | 0.21 | 319% |
| Grand Total | 70.56 | 65.51 | 8% | 205.86 | 221.49 | -7% |
Qty in MnT
Source: SteelMint Stats and GAC Shipping,
Provisional Data
Port Headland iron ore export falls 5% in Q1 CY'18
Headland was largest iron ore exporting port from Australia with 59% share in first quarter CY'18 iron ore export shipments. Exports from Port Hedland witnessed at 121.38 MnT in Q1 CY'18 against 126.93 MnT in last quarter CY'17, followed by Walcott at 45.90 MnT (down 12% Q-o-Q) and Dampier at 33.40 MnT (down 9% Q-o-Q).
In Mar'18, port Headland marked largest exporter at 41.90 MnT , up 9% M-o-M as compared to 38.37 MnT in Feb'17, followed by Walcott at 15.65 MnT (up 8% M-o-M) and Dampier at 11.20 MnT.
Port-wise Export Q1 CY'18 v/s Q4 CY'17
| Port | Mar'18 | Feb'18 | M-o-M (%) | Q1 CY'18 | Q4 CY'17 | Q-o-Q (%) |
| Headland | 41.90 | 38.37 | 9% | 121.38 | 126.93 | -4% |
| Walcott | 15.65 | 14.45 | 8% | 45.90 | 52.03 | -12% |
| Dampier | 11.20 | 11.28 | -1% | 33.40 | 36.57 | -9% |
| Geraldton | 0.95 | 0.81 | 17% | 2.89 | 2.94 | -2% |
| Esperance | 0.67 | 0.32 | 109% | 1.47 | 1.92 | -23% |
| Kwinana | 0.20 | 0.29 | -28% | 0.82 | 1.10 | -26% |
| Grand Total | 70.56 | 65.51 | 8% | 205.86 | 221.49 | -7% |
Qty in MnT
Source: SteelMint Stats and GAC Shipping,
Provisional Data
