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
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.
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.
Visit our media statement here.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle 09:00 Thursday 26 March 2026 (AWST)
As at 09:00 Thursday 26 March 2026, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) advises Tropical Cyclone Narelle lies north of Port Hedland and is tracking steadily to the west-southwest.
The environment is favourable, and the system is forecast to continue intensifying, with the forecast indicating category 4 by Thursday afternoon.
A period of rapid intensification is likely during the next 30 hours, and the chance of Narelle reaching category 5 intensity while north of the Pilbara coast is around 30%.
There is high confidence in the track to the west-southwest on Thursday, roughly parallel to the Pilbara coast. The extent of gales and storm force winds south of Narelle is likely to be larger than normal.
Sustained gales are occurring over coastal parts of the Pilbara, with storm force winds just offshore.
As of 09:00 Thursday 26 2026, Pilbara Ports has closed the Ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier and Varanus Island.
All recreational vessel owners must safely secure their vessels for cyclonic conditions.
For specific information regarding your location, please refer to DFES emergency alerts website.
For the latest cyclone warnings visit www.bom.gov.au/cyclone.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle
14:00 Tuesday 24 March 2026 (AWST)
As at 14:00 on Tuesday 24 March 2026, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) advises Tropical Cyclone Narelle is moving offshore of the west Kimberley coast and towards the west southwest.
The environment is favourable and it will likely re-intensify into a tropical cyclone tonight. Accordingly, there is a risk of gales affecting the west Kimberley coast before the system moves further offshore.
Model guidance is generally consistent in intensifying Narelle into a strong system and the forecast indicates category 3 Wednesday night and category 4 Thursday. There is high confidence in the track to the west-southwest during Wednesday and Thursday, roughly parallel to the Pilbara coast.
As of 18:00 Tuesday 24 March 2026, Pilbara Ports will begin clearing berths from the Ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier and Varanus Island.