Tropical Cyclone Zelia Forces Closure of Major Iron Ore Ports in Australia
Tropical Cyclone Zelia is approaching Western Australia, leading to the closure of all major iron ore ports. The cyclone, now a category five storm, is expected to make landfall near Port Hedland with severe winds and heavy rainfall. Major mining companies have paused operations for safety, while residents stock up on supplies and seek shelter.
Australia’s major iron ore export hub is preparing for the impact of Tropical Cyclone Zelia, which is approaching the country’s northwest coast. All significant commodity ports have been closed as residents rush to gather essential supplies. The cyclone, now classified as a category five storm, is situated about 80 km north of Port Hedland and is expected to make landfall with wind gusts up to 320 kph and heavy rains affecting a long, sparsely populated area.
Forecasters have noted that while the worst weather is yet to arrive, there have already been increases in rainfall and strong winds along the coast. Port Hedland, the world’s largest iron ore export facility, closed on Wednesday, followed by closures of Dampier and Varanus Island ports on Thursday. Cape Lambert is also closed, impacting key operations by major companies such as BHP Group, Fortescue, and Rio Tinto.
BHP and Fortescue have halted their operations in Port Hedland for safety reasons, advising staff to shelter either at home or in designated camps. In addition, Fortescue has closed its Iron Bridge mining operations and has suspended non-essential travel in the Pilbara area. Rio Tinto has cleared its port operations and is monitoring the situation closely, anticipating disruptions to their shipping schedules.
Despite the potential supply disruptions from Western Australia, Dalian iron ore futures remained stable, ending a two-day rise due to concerns over US steel tariffs and potential taxes in India. The residents of Port Hedland, primarily mining employees, have been advised to take shelter indoors, with non-essential workers relocated to safer areas, leading some supermarkets to close due to supply shortages.
Previously, in April 2023, Tropical Cyclone Ilsa struck the Pilbara region as a category five storm but largely avoided populated areas like Port Hedland. As such, the operations and safety concerns with Cyclone Zelia underscore the ongoing vulnerability of Australia’s mining industry to severe weather events.
Tropical Cyclone Zelia is poised to affect Australia’s iron ore export infrastructure significantly, prompting the closure of major ports and affecting operations by key mining companies. With safety measures in place for residents and workers, the situation remains fluid, reflecting the ongoing risk posed by severe weather in this critical mining region. Financial impacts and operational adjustments will be closely monitored in the coming days.
Original Source: www.chinadailyhk.com
