Port Hedland reopening as tropical cyclone moves inland

Pilbara Port Authority (PPA) said on Friday morning the cyclone had weakened as it moved further in land and had been downgraded to category 3.

The authority has closed the world’s largest iron ore export port at Hedland on 10am (local time) on Thursday as then category 5 cyclone headed for the region. In the preceding days all berths and anchorages had been cleared of vessels.

PPA said it would reopen Port Hedland at 11am (local time) on Friday morning having undertaken inspections of berths, navigational aids, and the shipping channel that it was safe for operations to resume.

“Pilbara Ports Authority is liaising with terminal and vessel operators and stakeholders to plan the recommencement of shipping,” it said.

Port Hedland is a major load port for capesize bulkers and in 2022 and on average last year handled 501.m tonnes of cargo monthly of which 49.3m tonnes comprised iron ore exports.

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