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.
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