WILD weather in eastern New South Wales is affecting the flow of cargo through the state’s ports. The weather has affected all three container terminals at Port Botany, albeit to different degrees.
Hutchison Ports Australia, in a message to customers at 0800 Wednesday, said at least one vessel had been delayed due to “boisterous” weather conditions.
Later, HPA suspended road operations from 1030 through at least 1359.
“The Terminal is experiencing a significant weather event that caused the cessation of truck services due to workplace health and safety concerns,” the message to customers read.
At Patrick’s Port Botany terminal, operations ceased on Tuesday due to weather. Operations have since restarted. DCN understands the terminal has been closed for a total of around eight hours, and weather conditions are being monitored.
And at the DP World Australia terminal, weather also caused some issues. A spokesperson told DCN there were delays of a couple hours on one vessel. They said road and rail operations have continued with no major disruption.
“We are continuing to monitor the weather conditions throughout the day to determine the suitability for yard operations to continue,” the spokesperson said.
DCN understands that the Port Kembla anchorage closed to shipping yesterday due to strong winds and high swell. All vessels were instructed to drift off port at a safe distance.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a gale warning for today and tomorrow for several regions, including Sydney Coast, Illawarra Coast, Hunter Coast and Eden Coast.
The bureau has also issued a severe weather warning that covers a long swathe of eastern New South Wales, including the Sydney and Illawarra regions.
The BOM said a low pressure system over the south-easter Tasman Sea is to maintain a “vigorous westerly flow” over the eastern part of the state over the course of Wednesday. It predicts “damaging winds” averaging 60 to 70 kilometres per hour, with possible peak gusts above 90 kilometres per hour.
The bureau also issued a hazardous surf warning for 2 June for the Macquarie Coast, Hunter Coast and the Illawarra Coast.
