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.
Vessels requesting to berth at the Port of Port Hedland must complete a berth application before entering port waters.
The Harbour Master has absolute discretion to determine and change the priority of berthing vessels as he/she sees fit without prior notice or consultation with any party.
Pilbara Ports will not be liable for any loss or damage what or howsoever caused to any party by berthing priority or changes in berthing priority.
Familiarise yourself with the Port of Port Hedland seaward approach before entering the Port Hedland harbour.
Online berth application
Mooring crews at the public berths are provided by:
Private berth owners will provide their own mooring crews.
For the most recent specific instructions on mooring operations, refer to the Port of Port Hedland local marine notices.
Port of Port Hedland local marine notices
Vessels approaching the Port of Port Hedland must do so via the shipping fairway and prior to entering the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) area, must call Port Hedland VTS on VHF Ch12 confirming ETA and arrival draft.
All arriving vessels, including vessels anchoring outside VTS limits, must pass within a 2.5nm radius of the First Reporting Point (19° 57.21’S, 118° 28.50’E) to ensure automatic registration (via AIS) of having arrived at Port Hedland.
It is a requirement that all vessels must carry fully approved and updated paper charts and / or ECDIS, in accordance with the vessel’s Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate.
The primary approach is via the Eastern route (chart Aus 53) between Sarus Towers (2E/3E) where the depth is 10.5m at chart datum. UKC restrictions of 2.5m apply and are to be maintained by all vessels. The main shipping channel may be used for inward shipping movements under pilotage, only after prior approval from the Harbour Master.
Mariners are advised that the main shipping channel is a unidirectional (one-way) channel, primarily to be used by laden deep draft vessels departing from the Port of Port Hedland, under pilotage.
Vessels not constrained by draft may exit the main shipping channel via pre-determined exit points under pilotage. Vessel’s must then depart Port Hedland via the eastern route between Sarus Towers (2E / 3E) while complying with the UKC restrictions.
Vessels are encouraged to download the relevant pilotage routes for use with their ECDIS.
Pilotage routes for vessels