NEWS: Ports close in WA as Cyclone Ilsa intensifies
Daily Cargo News | Abby Williams
PORT authorities in the Kimberley and Pilbara have cleared or closed ports as Tropical Cyclone Ilsa continues on its path toward the coast.
Pilbara Ports Authority, which began to clear ships out of Port of Port Hedlandin the early hours of Wednesday morning, is monitoring weather conditions in anticipation of closing the port.
PPA general manager marine Captain Phil Christy told DCN all berths were expected to have been cleared by 1300 Wednesday afternoon (12 April) and all vessels cleared out of port limits by 1800 Wednesday evening.
“Preparation activities have included securing loose objects, reviewing draft and tide conditions, and liaising with terminal operators,” Mr Christy said.
“All port anchorages within the Port of Port Hedland boundary have been cleared.
“Heavy rain, tidal changes and gale force winds can potentially damage infrastructure in the port, so vessels are safer at sea during cyclones.
“PPA will continue to liaise with the Bureau of Metrology to monitor weather conditions in anticipation of closing the port.”
The latest cyclone advice from PPA indicates from 0800 on Thursday (13 April) all movements of harbour support vessels within the port will need to be approved by the Port of Port Hedland harbour master.
And Kimberley Ports Authority closed the Port of Broome at 1800 on Tuesday (11 April) and ports of Derby and Yampi Sound 0600 on Wednesday (April 12).
KPA CEO Luke Westlake highlighted the port closure’s impact on visiting cruise ships and other nearby vessels.
“Cruise vessel visits from the Pacific Explorer and Caledonian Sky have been cancelled returning to Fremantle from Exmouth and Port of Dampier, respectively,” Mr Westlake said.
“The Coral Discoverer is still expected to arrive on Friday afternoon as it is travelling behind the cyclone and arriving from the north.”
KPA said now that the cyclone has moved past Browse Basin the Maersk Deliverer drill rig will start to move back into position for drilling operations for the INPEX Ichthys Project.
The platform support vessel MMA Plover is expected in Broome on Friday April 14 for resupply.
The latest available cyclone warning advice from the Bureau of Meteorology (issued Wednesday 0845 WST, at the time of writing) positioned Cyclone Ilsa around 355 kilometres northwest of Broome and 530 kilometres north northeast of Port Hedland.
The cyclone, currently at category-three strength (as of Wednesday afternoon), is expected to reach category four by the time it crosses the coast.
“Tropical Cyclone Ilsa is expected to intensify into a severe tropical cyclone in the next few hours as it continues to move southwest towards the Pilbara coast,” BoM wrote in its advice.
“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.
“During Friday, Ilsa is forecast to maintain tropical cyclone intensity as it tracks past Telfer and further inland across the Northern Interior district.”
This article has been updated to reflect that Cyclone Ilsa has now reached category-three strength.
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GRI, Transport Wharf Charges, Fuel Surcharge, LCL Booking Fee, Empty Container De-Hire Timeframes & Terminal Energy Recovery Surcharge
GRI
Effective April 1st 2023
Northeast Asia to Australia (Dry and Refrigerated Cargo)
20′ || USD$500/teu
40′ || USD$1000/teu
Transport Wharf Charges
Effective April 1st, 2023
Sydney
Wharf Booking Fee $75.00
Infrastructure Fee $195.00
Empty Booking Fee $125.00
DPW De-Hire Surcharge $55.00
Weighbridge Fee $20.00
Sideloader Levy $100.00
Melbourne
Wharf Booking Fee $75.00
Infrastructure Fee $210.00
Empty Booking Fee $110.00
DPW De-Hire Surcharge $55.00
Weighbridge Fee $20.00
Sideloader Levy $100.00
Brisbane
Wharf Booking Fee $75.00
Infrastructure Fee $195.00
Empty Booking Fee $105.00
DPW De-Hire Surcharge $55.00
Weighbridge Fee $20.00
Sideloader Levy $100.00
Adelaide
Wharf Booking Fee $85.00
Infrastructure Fee $195.00
Empty Booking Fee $90.00
Weighbridge Fee $50.00
Sideloader Levy $100.00
Fremantle
Wharf Booking Fee $80.00
Infrastructure Fee $85.00
Empty Booking Fee $95.00
Weighbridge Fee $20.00
Sideloader Levy $100.00
Booking Admin Fee $30.00
Terminal Interface Fee $75.00
Effective 1st March 2022
Introduction of Terminal Energy Recovery Surcharge
Sydney/Melbourne/Brisbane/Fremantle/Adelaide – $7.50 per container
Fuel Levy
NSW/QLD/VIC – 25%
WA – 28%
SA – 32%
LCL Booking Fee
Effective 15th February 2023
All States & Territories || $40 AUD
Empty Container De-Hire Timeframes
Please note: Empty container de-hire timeframes differ in each state.
NSW/QLD/WA || Require 72 hours notice to arrange pick-up of empty containers
VIC/SA || Require 48 hours notice to arrange pick-up of empty containers.
These timeframes do not include weekends or public holidays. Please note that notifications made after Midday are not considered ‘Same Day’. The following business day will be considered as day 1.
