Iron ore loadings at the port of Dampier in Western Australia resumed today as the first two bulkers arrived at berths since the port authority halted operations on 3 February because of tropical cyclone Taliah.
The halt in exports could significantly reduce Australian iron ore exports this week, as berths of the port of Walcott remain empty.
The 179,628 dead weight tonne (dwt) Aanya arrived at Parker Point Berth 4 on 5 February and started loading iron ore, Kpler data show. It is scheduled to sail to China. The 176,944 dwt Cape Sarina arrived at Parker Point Berth 2 later today, Kpler data show. These are the first two vessels to start loading in Dampier since the port stopped operations because of the tropical cyclone Taliah. The last vessel to sail from Dampier was Zje Ocean 1 on 3 February.
Port Walcott's berths remain cleared. All the vessels are at the port's storm anchorage, but loadings may resume soon.
Port Hedland, located further east and away from the cyclone, is operating normally.
A new atmospheric depression 18U is developing to the north of Australia, and may hit Pilbara coast early next week. "Tropical Low (18U) is expected to move southwest, along or just off the Kimberley coast during the weekend and be located near the Pilbara coast on Monday (10 February). Environmental conditions are marginally favourable for development. However, if 18U remains over waters off the Pilbara coast long enough, then the risk increases to low (10pc) from Monday next week," the Australian Bureau of Meteorology said.
