PRESS RELEASE: Since FMG Nicola sailed into Herb Elliott Port in December 2016, Fortescue's eight ore carriers have completed 91 voyages from Port Hedland, shipping 23 million tonnes of ore to customers in China.

Now fully operational, the fleet will provide approximately 12% of Fortescue's total shipping requirements.

Fortescue CEO Elizabeth Gaines said that the company has been realising the productivity and efficiency benefits of the fleet, which was designed to complement its world-class port infrastructure.

"Our fleet of eight ore carriers, including FMG Northern Spirit, is a natural extension of Fortescue's supply chain and a critical element of our global scale operations and integrated infrastructure," Gaines said.

"By maximising tonnage, improving loading rates and increasing the safety of manoeuvring through the port and channel, these vessels are helping us achieve our vision of being the safest, lowest cost, most profitable mining company.

"The partnerships with the Yangzijiang Xinfu Shipyard and Guangzhou Shipyard International for construction of the ore carriers, together with our financing transaction with the China Development Bank Financial Leasing to finance the fleet demonstrate the breadth and depth of Fortescue's relationship with China."