Australia resumes some operations at cyclone-hit key port

[SYDNEY] A major export port on Australia’s west coast handling iron ore, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other bulk commodities has reopened after cyclone damage forced a shutdown.

The Port of Dampier, which hosts operations run by Woodside Energy Group, resumed activity at 9 am on Saturday (Mar 28), though all general cargo imports remain suspended, according to the port operator. The nearby Port of Ashburton, which services Chevron’s Wheatstone LNG Plant, remains closed.

Cyclone Narelle has disrupted operations across mines and LNG facilities along Australia’s northern and western coasts. Output at three LNG plants operated by Woodside and Chevron has been curtailed, tightening supplies for mainly Asian buyers at a fragile moment for the global gas market.

Narelle has been downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone as at 11 am Sydney time and is continuing to move in a south-eastern direction across the state of Western Australia. A severe weather warning is still in place. BLOOMBERG