Pilbara Ports prepares and responds to a cyclone in five stages; monitor, prepare, clear port, shut down and re-open.
Monitor the system to make an early assessment of the cyclone’s likely path and potential to impact the port.
Start preparing the port by having regular communication with customers and monitoring the environmental conditions.
Once gale force winds are forecast to potentially impact the port within 48-hours Pilbara Ports start managing vessel movements.
Pilbara Ports continue to regularly monitor weather information provided by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
Preparation activities include securing loose objects, reviewing draft and tide conditions, and liaising with terminal operators.
Pilbara Ports start clearing all vessels and port anchorages from the Port.
Heavy rain, tidal changes and gale force winds can potentially damage infrastructure in the port, so vessels are safer at sea during cyclones.
Pilbara Ports remain in contact with all terminal operators and vessels currently in the port, and work to facilitate the safe departure of all vessels in a staged manner.
Continue to liaise with the Bureau of Metrology (BoM) to monitor weather conditions in anticipation of closing the port.
During this stage, the port has been cleared of all vessels and is now closed.
This is due to the gale force winds associated with the cyclone.
For the safety of all port users, the port will remain closed until the passing of the cyclone.
Staff who can work remotely are encouraged to do so, with only essential staff remaining on site.
Once the cyclone has passed, Pilbara Ports will work to reopen the port as quickly as possible, following inspections to ensure safe operations can recommence.
Heavy rain, tidal changes and gale force winds can potentially damage port infrastructure, so vessels are safer at sea during cyclones. This provides ships with the opportunity to sail well clear of the storms.
In 2024-25 the value of commodities passing through all our ports was more than $153 billion.
Pilbara Ports cannot provide information on the average impact of the cyclone on a day-to-day basis as it does not perform this level of analysis.
Media statements on Pilbara Ports shipping statistics are published monthly and include details on throughput (trade) at each port.
Pilbara Ports is the world’s largest bulk export port authority, encompassing the operational ports of Ashburton, Dampier, Port Hedland, and Varanus Island.
In the 2024-25 financial year, Pilbara Ports achieved a record-breaking throughput of 775.7 million tonnes (Mt) and the total value of commodities passing through its ports was at $153 billion, highlighting its contribution to local, State and national economies.
For monthly shipping figures, visit Port statistics - Pilbara Ports
For the most-up-to-date information on port conditions as Pilbara Ports progress through the cyclone stages, please subscribe to Pilbara Ports alerts.
For the latest cyclone warnings visit www.bom.gov.au/cyclone
Ports of Dampier, Ashburton, Cape Preston West and Varanus Island resume operations.
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell
08:00 AWST 9/02/2026
As at 08:00 AWST, Monday 9 February 2026, Pilbara Ports will resume operations at the Ports of Dampier, Ashburton, Cape Preston West and Varanus Island.
No further updates will be provided for all ports, but individual terminal operators should liaise directly with the Harbour Master.
For the latest cyclone warnings visit www.bom.gov.au/cyclone.
For specific information regarding your location, please refer to DFES emergency alerts website.
We thank you for your patience during this time.
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell (21U) 12:00 noon AWST 8/02/2026
As at 12:00 noon AWST, Sunday 8 February 2026, Pilbara Ports will resume operations at the Port of Port Hedland.
The Ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier and Varanus Island remain closed. An alert will be issued once they are safe to reopen.
No further updates will be provided for the Port of Port Hedland.
Ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island are closed.
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell (21U) 05:00 AWST 7/02/2026
Pilbara Ports has closed the Ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island.
As per the Bureau of Meteorology update at 05:00 AWST on Saturday 7 February 2026, Tropical Cyclone Mitchell (21U) lies to the north of Port Hedland. Conditions are favourable for further development into a category 2 system later today.
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell is moving to the west southwest and is expected to remain off the coast during today and Sunday morning. It will most likely begin to make a gradual turn to the southwest and then south from tonight, and in doing so move closer to the coast.
All berths and inner anchorages have been cleared at the Port of Port Hedland.
All berths and anchorages have been cleared at Ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier and Varanus Island.
Pilbara Ports will issue its next update for the Ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island once they are safe to reopen.
Ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island being cleared.
Tropical Low 21U
08:00 AWST, Friday 6 February 2026
As at 08:00 on Friday 6 February 2026 (AWST), the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) advises Tropical Low 21U is located over waters just to the west of Broome, and will move west-southwest over the weekend, tracking roughly parallel to the Pilbara coast.
The system is already developing slightly faster than forecast. Gales are expected over the southern quadrants from tonight and are expected to develop into a tropical cyclone Saturday morning.
Pilbara Ports will have all berths cleared from the Ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island by 16:00 AWST on Friday 6 February 2026.
All recreational vessel owners must safely secure their vessels for cyclonic conditions.