Dampier iron ore exports on the decline

Ian Ackerman reports.

Cargo throughput at the Port of Dampier has seen a decrease over the past year, according to statistics recently released by Pilbara Ports Authority.

Dampier’s throughput for the past month of July stood at 13.8m tonnes – a decrease of 1.9m tonnes, or 12% over the same month in 2015.

Imports into the port likewise fell over the past year – totalling 57,000 tonnes in July, or a 25% decrease from imports to Dampier in July 2015.

Despite the decreases in trade at Dampier, Pilbara Ports Authority reported a total throughput of 52.9m tonnes, an increase of 2% over July 2015.

Port Hedland reported a total throughput of 39m tonnes in July, an increase of 9% over the same month in 2015.

Iron ore exports from Hedland totalled 38.7m tonnes last month, which is 10% more than July 2015.

However, the port’s imports declined by 28% – totalling 113,000 tonnes the past July, 44,000 tonnes less than the same month in 2015.

This article originally appeared in ABHR affiliate Lloyd’s List Australia.