According to port authority data, iron ore shipments to China from Australia's Port Hedland fell b y 7.6% in June from the previous month.

The data showed that shipments to China retreated to 16.09 million tonnes from 17.42 million tonnes in May. Iron ore shipments were still up 16% on June last year.

Total iron shipments from Port Hedland in June were 21.51 million tonnes against 22.5 million tonnes in May and 20.7 million tonnes in April, making it a record quarter.

BHP Billiton is the port's biggest user, followed by Fortescue Metals Group Ltd.

Japan imported 2.51 million tonnes in June versus 2.73 million tonnes in May the data showed. June shipments to South Korea totaled 1.9 million tonnes against 1.8 million tonnes in May.

Source - Reuters

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