Major Australian Iron Ore Port Reopens as Cyclone Risk Recedes

(Bloomberg) -- The world’s biggest iron ore export port reopened after the passing of a major tropical storm.  

Port Hedland in northwest Australia resumed operations on Sunday as Tropical Cyclone Mitchell headed south, operator Pilbara Ports said in a statement on Sunday. The terminal handles a large portion of the nation’s iron ore exports from major miners including BHP Group and Fortescue Ltd. 

Mitchell is forecast to move down the coast with wind gusts of 130 kilometers per hour (81 mph) on Monday, before weakening to below-cyclone strength as it moves over land early on Tuesday, the Bureau of Meteorology said in an advisory Monday.

Western Australia is a key center for iron ore production and exports, and also hosts significant liquefied natural gas facilities. Other key ports — including Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier and Varanus Island — remained closed early on Monday.

This is the first significant Australian cyclone this season, which typically runs from November to April. Last year, an increased number of severe storms impacted ports and reduced the volume of iron ore exported from the region for months. 

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