Iron ore exports to China from Australia's Port Hedland amounted to 39.96 million tonnes in November, up 5.21% from a year earlier, according to the Pilbara Ports Authority.

The shipment to China, which was 1.71% higher than the previous month, accounted for 82% of the port's total iron ore exports in the month.

Port Hedland is one of the world's largest iron ore export ports, used by three of the world's top four iron ore miners – BHP Group, Fortescue Metals Group and Roy Hill Holdings.

In November, Port Hedland's total iron ore exports reached 48.76 million tonnes, rising 8.49% on the year and 6.97% from the previous month, data showed.

Total exports grew 3.30% year on year to 521 million tonnes over the first eleven months. Shipments to China increased 3.32% on the year to 446 million tonnes, taking up 86% of the total.