Ports in Western Australia began shutting or reducing operations from 11 April, in anticipation of Cyclone Ilsa making landfall this afternoon local time.
In Fremantle, Western Australia’s main container port, almost all the ships have moved to take shelter in the anchorages.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said that as of 11.38 am local time today (13 April), Cyclone Ilsa was 245km north of Port Hedland and moving in the southwestern direction. Port Hedland had been closed since 10 am today.
Cyclone Ilsa would reach category 5 intensity as it nears the eastern coast of the Pilbara region, home to Australia’s iron ore mining centre.
Pilbara Ports Authority said, “A severe impact will occur along the coast and adjacent inland parts to the east of Port Hedland and west of Wallal Downs, most likely between Pardoo Roadhouse and Wallal Downs, later tonight or early Friday morning.”
The port authority said that since 8 am local time today, all movements of harbour support vessels within the port will need to be approved by Port Hedland’s harbour master.
Kimberley Ports Authority closed the Port of Broome at 6 pm local time on 11 April and the ports of Derby and Yampi Sound at 6 am local time on 12 April.
The calls of cruise ships Pacific Explorer and Caledonian Sky were cancelled and both vessels returned to Fremantle.
The Bureau of Meteorology wrote, “Ilsa is forecast to track to the south and then turn to the southeast during Thursday, towards the east Pilbara coast. A severe impact is likely along the coast and adjacent inland parts between Port Hedland and Broome, in the vicinity of Wallal Downs, during late Thursday or early Friday.”
Tomorrow (14 April), the cyclone is forecast to maintain its intensity as it progresses past Telfer and further inland across the Northern Interior district.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
