SHANGHAI, Aug 4 (SMM) — A total of 105 vessels carrying 14.96 million mt of iron ore arrived at eight major Chinese ports during July 26-Aug 1, SMM estimates. This was down 260,000 mt from the prior week but up 2.86 million mt from the previous year.

For the same week, iron ore deliveries leaving Australian ports fell 1.1 million mt on the week to 15.46 million mt. That was 890,000 mt higher as compared with the same period last year. Maintenance at the Port Dampier and Port Walcott accounted for the decline in shipments from a week ago.

Shipments that departed Brazilian ports were estimated to dip 350,000 mt from the prior week to 6.38 million mt. The reading was about 860,000 mt lower than the level of the same period last year.

Smaller arrivals at Chinese ports and reduced shipments from Australia and Brazil last week remain supportive of the iron ore market.