Australia’s Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) has seen its monthly iron ore exports cut by 13% due to tropical cyclone Veronica.
Total throughput at in March 2019 was 50.3mt versus the 57.5mt seen in the corresponding month in 2018, PPA figures show.
Last month Veronica closed the Port of Port Hedland for 92.5 hours, the Port of Dampier for 132 hours and the Port of Ashburton for 109.5 hours.
However, the total throughput for the 2018/19 financial year to date is 510.3Mt, a decrease of just 1% from the same time last year.
“The Port of Port Hedland achieved a monthly throughput of 36.3Mt of iron ore exports. The monthly throughput was a 14% decrease from March 2018,” said PPA.
“The Port of Dampier delivered a total monthly throughput of 12.5Mt, a decrease of 11% from March 2018.”
Last week both BHP and Rio Tinto said they expected to ship less iron ore from the Pilbara region this year in the wake of cyclone Veronica.
Collectively the two Australian mining giants expect production levels to be impacted to the tune of 20 to 22mt in 2019.
Rio Tinto said its Pilbara shipments in 2019 are expected to be “at the lower end of the 338 and 350mt guidance” previously provided.
BHP’s preliminary estimate of the impact of Veronica was a reduction in production of about 6 to 8mt, and as a result, its 2019 financial year production and unit cost guidance are currently under review.
BHP said final production impacts and revised production and unit cost guidance will be disclosed once they are finalised.
