WEATHER has impacted shipping and logistics on opposite ends of the country.
Blast furnace heat in Melbourne caused some delays at Swanson Dock container terminal in Melbourne, while in the far off Pilbara, local authorities were keeping a close eye on a cyclone in the Indian Ocean.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported temperatures around Melbourne reaching figures in the early 40s.
A spokesperson for DP World Australia said operations at West Swanson terminal stopped at 11.15am Friday and resumed at 2.40pm on the same day.
A spokesperson for Victoria International Container Terminal said during the hottest part of the day they were able to advance breaks under the terms of their industrial agreement.
“This means work can continue as usual now as the cool change is on its way,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile in Australia’s far off Pilbara region, local port authorities are keeping a close eye on Tropical Cyclone Riley.
Pilbara Ports Authority has begun cyclone preparations at the ports of Ashburton, Dampier and Port Hedland.
The Port of Dampier began clearing ships from anchorages and terminals on Thursday evening and the harbour master was reported to be in regular contact with terminal operators and key service providers.
A Bureau of Meteorology report on Friday stated Cyclone Riley was over waters north of the Pilbara coast.
“It is expected to track to the west southwest over the next few days over waters north of and parallel to the Pilbara coast,” the Bureau stated.
Shifting to Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, the Bureau reported monsoon trough extending over the northern Gulf of Carpentaria and into a tropical low northwest of Weipa.
The tropical low is expected to develop, potentially into a cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria.
