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.
Exports include iron ore, salt, liquefied natural gas, anhydrous ammonia as well as project cargo, break bulk and general cargo.
Pilbara Ports is committed to continuously improving the way we manage navigational safety, operational risks, and marine incident reporting.
Port users are advised that an unidentified floating object, possibly a barnacle-encrusted marine buoy or floating marker, has been reported within the Causeway Mooring Area.
Port users are advised that following Tropical Cyclone Mitchell, two recreational vessels have sunk in approximate positions 20⁰40’.06’ S 116⁰ 41.33’ E and 20⁰40.20’ S 116⁰ 41.45’ E.
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.
Temporary access changes to car park
Pilbara Ports delivered a total monthly throughput of 55.9 million tonnes (Mt) during February 2026.
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