4 Jul 2013

Iron ore shipments at record level from WA

10:02 am on 4 July 2013

Record volumes of iron ore from the Pilbarra are being shipped out of Port Hedland in Western Australia.

Figures for the last financial year show a total through-put of more than 288 million tonnes, an increase of 17% on the previous year.

The ABC reports that of this, exports of iron ore totalled 280 million tonnes - up 40 million tonnes from the year before.

Harbourmaster John Finch said the downturn in iron ore prices has not affected port activity.

"We're expecting further targets and uptrends for the next year and we're forecasting about 320 million tonnes of port throughput for the 13/14 year, he said.

Mr Finch said further expansion in coming years could increase the port's capacity to 495 million tonnes per year.