Fortescue says ships 27.3 mln/t iron ore in 08/09

SYDNEY, July 13 (Reuters) - Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (FMG.AX) shipped 27.3 million tonnes of iron ore in fiscal 2009, slightly above its target and marking is first full year of production.

Fortescue, Australia's third largest iron ore miner behind Rio Tinto Ltd/Plc (RIO.AX)(RIO.L) and BHP Billiton Ltd/Plc (BHP)AX>(BLT.L), also said it would maintain a run rate of 35 million tonnes per year through the first half of 2010.

In April, Fortescue said it expected to sell about 26 million tonnes in the year ending June 30, 2009.

(Reporting by James Regan)