cyclone threat

Australia's Port Hedland Eyes Shut Down on Cyclone Threat


12/27/2013 | 01:30am US/Eastern
By Stephen Bell

PERTH--A key port for exporting iron ore from Australia's Pilbara region expects to start shutting down Saturday as a low-pressure system threatens to develop into a cyclone.

"Current indications are that Port Hedland will experience gales from late Sunday night," the Port Hedland Port Authority said in a statement Friday.

"So we will expect to commence port evacuations from Saturday afternoon," it added.

The low-pressure system, located well to the north of the seaside resort of Broome, is expected to develop into a cyclone Saturday as it moves southwest roughly parallel to the North-West Australian coast.

It is forecast to intensify over the weekend and approach the resource-rich Pilbara coastal region on Monday, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said.

Port Hedland has grown into one of the world's largest iron-ore export terminals in recent years as companies like BHP Billiton Ltd. (>> BHP Billiton Limited), Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. (>> Fortescue Metals Group Limited) and Atlas Iron Ltd. (>> Atlas Iron Limited) expand production to satisfy Chinese demand for the steel-making ingredient.

"We are watching the development of this weather system very closely and have commenced planning for it," BHP said in a statement.

"At present, normal work arrangements apply," it added

Western Australia's cyclone season normally runs from December through March.

-Write to Stephen Bell at [email protected]
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