The strike is the first major industrial action at the Port Hedland iron ore export hub in 25 years. BHP, which is based in Melbourne, ships about $80 million worth of iron ore through Port Hedland every day. Port Hedland’s role in iron ore exportsPort Hedland is a major export hub for iron ore from Western Australia’s Pilbara region. It accounted for 75% of the region’s iron ore exports in the year to June 2026. The industrial action has so far focused on BHP workers and its ship-loading operations at Port Hedland.