Iron ore shipments from Port Hedland hits December record
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The news: Iron ore shipments from the Port of Port Hedland have hit a new record for December in 2025, lifting 6.5% compared to the same period in 2024, as the wider Pilbara Ports authority set record throughput for the month.
The numbers: The Port of Port Hedland achieved monthly total exports of 51.7 million tonnes, a 7.2% increase compared to December 2024.
Of the shipments from Port Hedland 50.9 million was iron ore. Iron ore exports lifted 6.7% month on month and 6.5% compared to December 2024. The previous December record was 50.8 million tonnes in December 2021.
The Port of Dampier delivered a throughput of 17 million tonnes, which was a 6% increase on December 2024. The two ports taken together marked record December throughput for Pilbara Ports.
The context: The Port of Port Hedland is considered a bellwether for Australian iron ore exports and is the only port that BHP and Fortescue export from.
Pilbara Ports attributed the shipment record to operational changes implemented at the Port of Port Hedland in recent months that have facilitated increased volumes.
The changes include “revised vessel movement guidelines for ebb-tide departures, creating additional sailing opportunities for large vessels, alongside ongoing improvements to Dynamic Under Keel Clearance”.
Despite weak domestic Chinese steel demand, Chinese demand for iron ore remains high as the country continues to export record amounts of steel. Some steelmakers have also ramped up steel exports to get ahead of new export licence arrangements due to come into effect in 2026.
The sources: Pilbara Ports media release, Pilbara Ports December 2025 data
