Tropical Low Forces Vessel Clearance at Port Hedland, Australia's Iron Ore Export Hub
Port Hedland, the bustling iron ore export hub in Western Australia, has begun clearing vessels in anticipation of an approaching tropical low. The low, currently located northwest of Broome, is expected to intensify into a cyclone on Wednesday.
All anchorages at Port Hedland are expected to be clear by 7 p.m. local time on Wednesday, as per a notice issued by Pilbara Ports Authority, the port's operator. Port Hedland is Australia's largest iron ore exporter, handling vast volumes from global mining giants such as BHP Group and Fortescue Ltd.
The potential cyclone poses a risk to iron ore exports, as a cyclone last month damaged a railcar dumper at a Rio Tinto Group facility. The Pilbara region has experienced significant rainfall this year due to offshore systems.
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services has issued a flood watch warning. Real-time updates on the weather and its potential impact on the economy and business are available in Bloomberg's Weather Watch newsletter.