Pilbara Ports is continuing to conduct condition inspections of its facilities at the Port of Dampier and the Port of Ashburton following Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle (34U).
Port of Dampier The port reopened on 28 March 2026 however significant damage was identified across Pilbara Ports general cargo precinct, and all general cargo import operations remain suspended. The Dampier Cargo Wharf and adjacent floating deck facility remain inoperable due to structural damage. The Bulk Liquids Berth is operable, and fuel imports are not affected.
Further engineering assessments, including underwater inspections and marine surveys will continue over the next few days. These assessments will inform when safe general cargo import operations can resume.
Port of Ashburton The port reopened on 28 March 2026 however Pilbara Ports Ashburton Cargo Wharf remains closed. Engineering teams are now able to access the port, and inspections will be carried out over the next few days.
Port of Varanus Island The Port of Varanus Island re-opened on 28 March 2026. Its operations are not impacted.
Pilbara Ports is committed to effecting repairs and restoring capability as safely and efficiently as possible across the ports of Dampier and Ashburton. It will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
Refer to Media Statement Update 1 - Saturday 28 March 2026 for more detail.
The multi-user port and strategic industrial area accommodates LNG and other hydrocarbon-based processing and natural gas processing for Western Australia’s domestic gas supply.
Mariners are advised that the following defects have been reported:
Mariners are advised that the Waverider Buoy (see details below) is missing:
Pilbara Ports is committed to continuously improving the way we manage navigational safety, operational risks, and marine incident reporting.
Pilbara Ports has completed an initial visual inspection of its port infrastructure in the Port of Dampier following the impact of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle (34U), which passed the region as a Category 4 system.
Pilbara Ports delivered a total monthly throughput of 55.9 million tonnes (Mt) during February 2026.
The new Great Northern Highway Lumsden Interchange at Port Hedland in Western Australia’s central north coast, is complete, laying the foundation for Pilbara Ports new Lumsden Point development.
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