SYDNEY, Dec 27 (Reuters) – A cyclone brewing off of western Australia could disrupt shipments from three of the world’s largest iron ore ports by early next week, data from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued on Friday showed.
A tropical low in the Indian Ocean was on a southwesterly trajectory and forecast to reach Category 3 strength – meaning wind gusts up to 224 kilometers per hour – as it approaches Port Hedland early on Monday, according to the bureau.
A spokeswoman for Port Hedland, which handles about a fifth of the global seaborne market, said the course of the storm was being monitored at this stage. Emergency authorities were warning residents living in the sparsely-populated forecast path of the cyclone to remain alert.
Last February, Cyclone Rusty, packing winds up to 200 km per hour, closed Cape Lambert and Dampier ports – used by Rio Tinto , as well as Port Hedland – used by BHP Billiton and Fortescue Metals.
The three ports handle more than 500 million tonnes of iron ore annually, accounting for almost all of Australia’s exports.
“Operations are continuing and we are closely monitoring the situation,” a Rio Tinto spokesman said.
Iron ore exports from Port Hedland were 28.1 million tonnes in November, just off October’s all-time peak of 29.0 million and 29 percent higher than in November last year.
The majority of the ore is shipped under contract to steel mills in China.
Australia can expect an average cyclone season running from Nov.1 to April 30, with up to 11 storms, according to forecasters.
(Bloomberg) — Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion has entered a new phase, pitting homegrown drone technology against a 2,000 kilometer (1,200 mile) swathe of largely Soviet-era oil facilities. At least...
March 19 (Reuters) – Tanker company Euronav will exit Belgium’s blue-chip Bel-20 index after just two days of trading, as it no longer meets the membership conditions after its takeover by Compagnie Maritime...
MOSCOW, March 19 (Reuters) – The new head of Russia’s Navy was formally presented in his new role for the first time on Tuesday at a pomp-filled ceremony, the state RIA news agency reported,...
March 19, 2024
Total Views: 2483
Why Join the gCaptain Club?
Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.