Ports prepare as storm system strengthens

14 Mar 2024 / Dampier & Port Hedland, Australia

The ports of Dampier and Port Hedland are now at Cyclone Alert Stage 2 – PREPARE.

Vessel Masters shall ensure that:
- vessel's engines and machinery are fully operational;
- vessel's stability, trim, and propeller immersion are appropriate;
- vessel's manning, stores and bunkers are adequate for departure;
- preparations are made in accordance with their respective cyclone response plan.

Terminal/berth operators are to ensure that:
- the latest cyclone forecasts are considered when planning operations over the coming days;
- the response plan accounts for time required for vessels to clear the port and the approaching tropical system safely;
- wharf areas are inspected for and cleared off/secured for any items that may have the potential to fall into the berth pockets or adjacent areas during periods of strong winds.

Shipping operations will continue as planned. Adjustments will be made by terminals based on prevalent and expected weather and swell conditions associated with the tropical system.

Weather forecasts will continue to be monitored and a further advice will be issued within the next 24 hours or earlier if there is a substantial change/escalation to the situation.

Based on the current forecast movement of the Tropical Low, clearing of Port Hedland inner anchorage will commence from today 1200 hours local time today (14 March) with the exemption for vessels with immediate POB (1200 ~1800 hours).

According to the Bureau of Meteorology’s update at 0500 hours local time today (14 March), Tropical Low 08U is over open waters and continuing to move in a general easterly direction. A large area of strong to gale force winds are persisting to its northern side. It is expected to become a tropical cyclone on Saturday, with gales extending to the southern side. 08U is expected to begin turning slowly towards the south on Friday and then to the southwest on Saturday, while remaining over open waters north of the Pilbara coast.

The latest forecast track has shifted slightly further offshore, reflecting small changes in the latest guidance. However, there is still a large spread of tracks possible, and the scenario of 08U coming closer to (and impacting) the Pilbara coast, or even crossing the west Pilbara coast early next week, remains possible.

08U is forecast to reach category 2 intensity by late Friday, but there is a chance that it could peak at category 3 intensity over the weekend.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.