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.
The port encompasses Varanus Island, the largest of the Lowendal Islands, and is used as a central gathering and processing hub for oil, gas and condensate supplied by nearby fields.
The Port of Varanus Island was transferred to Pilbara Ports as of 1 July 2021, as part of the ports governance reform program that is gradually transferring all commercial ports from the Shipping and Pilotage Act, to the Port Authorities Act.
The Port of Varanus Island is operated by Santos Ltd and the port waters is governed by Pilbara Ports in accordance with the Port Authority Act 1999 and Port Authority Regulations 2001 WA.
The Port of Varanus Island currently handles the following commodities:
condensate
oil