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.
While the Port of Dampier will reopen at 09:00 hours today, the inspection has identified significant asset damage across Pilbara Ports general cargo precinct, caused by destructive winds, wave uplift forces, swell, and storm surge. As a result, all general cargo import operations in Dampier will remain temporarily suspended, following the re-opening of the Port. Access to the port is restricted to key personnel.
The Dampier Cargo Wharf and adjacent floating deck facility are currently inoperable due to damage to the deck structure, breakwaters, roll-on-roll-off ramp and other port infrastructure.
Minor damage has been sustained to the Bulk Liquids Berth, but vessel delays are not anticipated and no impact on fuel imports is expected.
Further engineering assessments, including underwater inspections and marine surveys will continue over the weekend and early next week. These assessments will inform when safe general cargo import operations can resume.
Pilbara Ports is committed to effecting repairs and restoring capability as safely and efficiently as possible.
The Port of Ashburton and associated facilities will be inspected as soon as it is safe for teams to do so and will remain closed until the inspections have been completed.
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Named after Captain Peter Hedland, who anchored his ship in the port in 1863 while looking to offload cattle for a nearby station, the Port Hedland Harbour was originally known as Mangrove Harbour.
Construction of the first Port Hedland jetty began in 1896 to service the needs of the pastoral industry. Discovery of gold in nearby Marble Bar drove the extension of the jetty in 1908 and completion of a railway to connect Marble Bar and Port Hedland in 1911.
Port Hedland is a coastal town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, situated 1,600 kms by road from Perth.
The Port of Port Hedland Fact Sheet takes a look at key operational facts and figures for the 2023-24 financial year. Also included is a detailed map showing infrastructure and facilities at the port.