Australia’s Pilbara Ports Resume Operation After Cyclone

Port operations in the Pilbara region of northwest Australia resumed on January 20, following a two-day disruption caused by a powerful cyclone. The ports are vital for exporting iron ore, liquefied natural gas, condensate, and salt. Pilbara Ports, the world’s largest bulk export port authority, confirmed that the storm had moved westward, allowing operations to restart.

Cyclone Impact and Recovery Efforts

The cyclone, which brought sustained winds over 100 mph and gusts reaching 155 mph, prompted the closure of several key ports, including Dampier, Ashburton, Varanus Island, and Cape Preston. The authority ordered all berths cleared by 1:00 AM on January 19, and ports officially closed at 8:00 PM on January 18. As the storm progressed, areas in the Pilbara reported approximately 11 inches of rain, leading to flooding and warnings of additional heavy rainfall and damaging winds from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

As the cyclone moved away from the region, Pilbara Ports announced the resumption of operations at Port Hedland on the morning of January 20. By noon, operations at Dampier and Cape Preston also restarted, followed by Ashburton and Varanus Island later in the day. This swift recovery is crucial, as the ports set a record for exports in the 2023-2024 year, handling over 758 million metric tonnes, with iron ore comprising nearly 94 percent of the total exports. Between July and December 2024, the ports processed an additional 387.5 metric tonnes.

Pilbara Ports was formed through the amalgamation of the former port authorities of Dampier and Port Hedland. It manages four primary ports and oversees five development projects. The region is home to major mining companies like BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue, as well as energy giants Chevron and Woodside Energy, which lead LNG exports. Despite the flooding affecting ports, mines, and rail hubs, BHP has reported that it has resumed operations, signaling a return to normalcy in the region.