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.
Pilbara Ports created the recreational vessel safety awareness campaign as part of a proactive approach to reduce the number of recreational vessel-related incidents at the Port of Ashburton.
A safety exclusion zone is in place around port facilities. Only commercial vessels conducting business with the port are permitted access to the exclusion zone.
Unauthorised vessels will be asked to leave and/or will be escorted away. Repeat offenders will be reported to the Office of Transport Security and could face a possible infringement and/or prosecution.
The Port of Ashburton is a multi-user port and strategic industrial area which accommodates liquefied natural gas and other hydrocarbon-based processing, and natural gas processing for Western Australia’s domestic gas supply.