The Port Hedland Port Authority shipped 13.94 million metric tons of iron ore in July, according to an update on the authority's Web site Wednesday.

The exports were up 7.1% from the June total of 13.02 million tons and up 23% from July 2008 exports of 11.36 million tons, the authority said.

The authority didn't provide individual breakdowns for major port users BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP) and Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (FMG.AU).

China remained the key iron ore customer, accounting for 11.1 million tons, up 18.5% from June.

China, the world's largest iron ore consumer, increased its share of sea-borne imports in the first half of the year after many domestic mines shut down due to a slump in prices and plummeting freight rates.

Port Hedland is BHP's key Australian iron ore port, but the global miner is seeking a joint venture with competitor Rio Tinto (RTP), which exports iron ore from Dampier and Cape Lambert.

-By Stephen Bell, contributing to Dow Jones Newswires; 61-8-9244-4243; sgbell@bigpond.com