“A CONVEYOR BELT of cold fronts” sweeping the southern half and east coast of Australia has seen shipping schedules severely disrupted as vessels seek shelter from gale-force winds and high seas and container terminal operations are handicapped.
The Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast of conditions has proven sadly accurate, with extensive damage on land in Victoria and Tasmania. Overnight, a gust of 141kmh was recorded at the Fawkner Beacon in Port Phillip Bay and 157kmh on Flinders Island in Bass Strait.
TT Line rescheduled Spirit of Tasmania I’s Geelong to Devonport day sailing yesterday [1 September] to today, and the Sunday night sailing from Devonport to Geelong also to a day sailing. Thus “both vessels will operate double sailings on Monday, 2 September, to clear any passenger, passenger vehicle, and freight backlog,” the company said.
Spirit of Tasmania II, which has just completed a 16-day drydocking in Sydney, was observed yesterday powering down the NSW coast with AIS reporting the ship’s speed as 30 knots, but it did not reach Devonport until 0630 this morning and sailed for Geelong c.1030. Spirit of Tasmania I left Geelong at 0900 this morning for Devonport.
Meanwhile, Searoad Shipping’s Liekut and Searoad Mersey II have remained in port in Devonport and Melbourne since 0745 and 0700 Saturday, respectively, with both due to sail on schedule this afternoon
StraitLink’s Victorian Reliance II arrived Burnie at 0650 this morning after leaving Melbourne at 1600 yesterday and is scheduled to sail at 1630, while Peregrine arrived Burnie at 0700 on Saturday and departed for Melbourne at 1030 yesterday, berthing Melbourne this morning at 0645.
Port Phillip Heads has not been closed at any time over the recent days, despite significant swells. However, there are currently six ships steaming off the Heads, 11 anchored in Port Phillip Bay, and eight anchored or steaming off the northern Tasmanian coast.
Up to eight westbound vessels are sheltering in South Australia’s Gulf St Vincent.
Landside, CTAA’s Neil Chambers notified DCN DP World West Swanson Terminal advised this morning that they have had a significant number of containers blown over, and as a result approximately one third of the terminal is currently inaccessible to straddles. DPW is trying to work through what import boxes have been affected and will advise transport operators as soon as possible.
Patrick East Swanson Dock and VICT seem to be less impacted, however the latter is experiencing maintenance issues with their Automated Stacking Cranes with several modules (blocks) unavailable to deliver containers road-side.
Many of the empty container parks and other facilities in the ort and surrounding suburbs have ceased operations due to the strength of the wind.
The same is happening in Port Botany, Mr Chambers said.
Hutchison Sydney Terminal has advised road carriers that “the terminal is experiencing HIGH WINDS at present with conditions expected to deteriorate later in the day. This could result in delays or transactions being non serviced. We are working through the winds at present.”
DP World Sydney Terminal cancelled the 1100 truck arrival zone due to the high wind gusts, and will be reassessing operations from 12 noon onwards. Previously in the morning, empty container receivals into the terminal had been suspended.
Patrick Sydney Terminal seems to be continuing landside operations, CTAA said.
Many of the empty container parks in Port Botany have suspended operations at this time.
Conditions in Victoria/Tasmania are expected to ease later today.
