Iron ore export volumes from Port Hedland — the world’s largest iron ore loading terminal — fell modestly in June having hit a record high in May.

According to data released by the Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) earlier today, exports totalled 43.085 million tonnes for the month, down from 44.076 million tonnes in May.

The decline could simply reflect that there were fewer days in June than May.

Compared to a year earlier, exports rose by 3.1%, leaving cumulative iron ore shipments over the financial year at a mammoth 494.6 million tonnes, the highest level on record.

That was up 9% on the amount shipped in the prior financial year.

Exports to China fell to 36.6 million tonnes, down from 38 million tonnes in May. From a year earlier that represented an increase of 6%.

Port Hedland handles ore produced by Fortescue Metals, BHP Billiton and Gina Rinehart’s Roy Hill.

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