Port Hedland Reopens After Cyclone Sean Moves Away
Australia's major iron ore export port, Port Hedland, has resumed operations after Tropical Cyclone Sean weakened and moved away from the Pilbara region.
Operators Pilbara Ports announced the reopening early Monday, while Dampier and Cape Preston West ports are set to reopen at midday local time. The status of Ashburton and Varanus Island ports, also closed due to the storm, remains uncertain.
These ports handle a significant portion of Australia's iron ore exports from companies such as BHP Group, Rio Tinto Group, and Fortescue Ltd., as well as liquefied natural gas cargoes from Woodside Energy Group Ltd. and Chevron Corp.
Tropical Cyclone Sean strengthened to a Category 3 storm overnight, but remains offshore and is expected to continue southwest. While flood and heavy rainfall warnings remain in effect, the cyclone is projected to intensify further but stay well off the coast.
Australia typically experiences several cyclones in the northwest each year.