Geraldton Port Faces Record Shipping Delays
Severe weather conditions at Geraldton Port in Western Australia have led to unprecedented shipping delays, escalating costs, and significant challenges for local farmers, exporters, and miners. Winter storms and long wave patterns have caused dangerous surges in water levels, resulting in unsafe ship movements and extensive port closures. The CBH Group, a major grain exporter, reported a staggering loss of 900 hours in ship loading time over the past year, doubling previous records.
Impact on Shipping and Export Operations
The adverse weather conditions have severely impacted shipping operations at Geraldton Port, a critical hub for grain and mineral exports. Collette Newton, the general manager of the CBH Geraldton zone, highlighted that the cooperative has faced significant delays, with an average turnaround time for ships now reaching 16 days—far exceeding optimal levels. “We have seen an unprecedented level of surge,” Newton stated, noting that all port users have been affected by the ongoing situation.
Shipping records reveal that some vessels have experienced extended stays at the port. For instance, the bulk carrier Kea, which arrived on July 15 to load 18,000 tonnes of wheat, did not depart until August 26, resulting in an estimated cost of $615,000 due to prolonged anchorage. Other vessels, including the YM Summit and the Ultra Esterhazy, were reported to have been anchored for over 30 days during the peak of the delays.
In response to the ongoing challenges, CBH has begun relocating some vessels to alternative ports and has increased its road transport capacity to alleviate pressure on Geraldton. Despite these setbacks, the cooperative has successfully exported nearly 3 million tonnes of grain this season, positioning itself well for the upcoming harvest. Additionally, CBH is upgrading its port storage facilities to enhance operational efficiency.
Future Upgrades to Mitigate Delays
To address the ongoing surge issues, a significant upgrade to Geraldton Port is on the horizon. A 400-meter breakwater is set to be constructed next year as part of a $350 million enhancement project. Damian Tully, CEO of Mid West Ports Authority, emphasized that reducing surge impact is the top priority for the upgrade, estimating that the new breakwater could decrease surge-related delays by 60 to 80 percent.
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This year has been particularly challenging, with the port experiencing 250 hours of closures in July alone due to surge events. John Welborn, executive chair of Fenix Resources, noted that these delays hinder logistics and revenue flow. Despite the disruptions, Fenix has managed to maintain efficient ship turnaround times, loading around 60,000 tonnes of iron ore at the port.
As the port continues to grapple with the effects of severe weather, Tully assured that the authority is actively engaging with all affected customers to optimise shipping schedules. The planned upgrades aim to bolster the port’s resilience against future weather events, ensuring it remains a vital export terminal for Western Australia.
