Australia’s Port Hedland likely to face port closure from tomorrow due to upcoming tropical weather. The Port authorities have commenced preparation ahead of the expected arrival of a tropical system later this week.
Forecasts predict gale force winds and large swell across the Port Hedland area from 08 Feb’17. It is expected the port will close, with all vessels clear of the port and anchorages by midnight 07 Feb’17.
It is to be noted that Port Hedland has exported around 40.3 MnT iron ore in Jan’17 which is around 2 MnT per day. Port Hedland is the largest bulk terminal exporting steel making commodities like iron ore and coal.
To facilitate port closure, entry to Port Hedland will be limited to those vessels that have been scheduled to berth prior to the proposed closure and that can complete cargo operations within that time. All other vessels with ETA’s after this time may give their ETA’s at the First Reporting Point as their anchor time and NOR and remain at sea until the anchorage is re-opened.
All vessels currently at anchor will be required to vacate the anchorage area in an order determined by the Port Hedland authority. This is expected to commence by today.
During the port closure, vessels are to remain at least 10 nautical miles clear of the First Reporting Point.
Additionally, agents are requested to remind vessels that they will not lose their priority for berthing due to port closure/evacuation
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