Australian ports brace for cyclone

[PERTH] Ports in Australia's Pilbara region, through which almost half of the world's seaborne iron ore is shipped, were sending ships out to sea on Saturday ahead of a tropical cyclone that is forecast to reach the coast by tomorrow.

The last of more than 40 vessels in the anchorages and harbour at Port Hedland were expected to leave by yesterday, port spokesman Steed Farrell told Reuters.

It is considered safer for ships to ride out storms at sea rather than in port.