Key Markets

Portman exports 99.9% of its iron ore products to a number of customers in Asia. A very small amount of Portman iron ore is consumed domestically.

China
Portman commenced exporting iron ore to China in 1994 and opened its Beijing office in 1999. China is Portman’s largest market taking approximately 75% of export tonnes. China receives ore from both Koolyanobbing and Cockatoo Island. Since 1994 Portman have established strong ties with several large, long term customers.

Japan
In 1996 the first Portman iron ore tonnes were exported to Japan. Portman has several major Japanese customers. Whilst only 25% of total Portman’s tonnes were exported to Japan these tonnes were dominated by lump products. In 2002 Portman established a Tokyo office to facilitate the needs of its growing Japanese market.

Shipping

Portman exported approximately 8 million tonnes of iron ore from Esperance and Cockatoo Island. The port of Esperance is used to ship iron ore mined from Portman’s Koolyanobbing region.

All Portman cargos are sold free-on-board (FOB), thus the buyers arranges the vessel. Both Panamax and restricted Cape Size vessels can be loaded at Esperance whilst Cockatoo island shipment are Handy max size only.