WITH SOUTH EAST Queensland and northern NSW now at the mercy of Tropical Cyclone Alfred port and maritime activity is at a standstill and likely to remain so, until the weekend.

Shipping companies have closed offices in Brisbane and suggested staff work from home, if they can. Notices of liner shipping diversions are beginning to appear, such as for CMA CGM’s PAD service vessel CMA CGM Cape Skagen and NPDL’s AUSPAC ship NPDL Tahiti, with the carriers noting that as well as the current port closure there are likely to be subsequent berthing delays of at least five days.

Port of Brisbane yesterday afternoon advised there had been no change to the port’s operational posture overnight: the shipping channel remains restricted for inbound vessels, under direction from Maritime Safety Queensland’s (MSQ) Regional Harbour Master.

“MSQ is working with cruise lines to ensure vessels can berth if necessary to keep passengers safe. Pacific Encounter berthed at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal [Tuesday] morning and will depart this afternoon. Other scheduled homeporter arrangements are under consideration.

Today PoB added: “From a cruise perspective, guests have been advised that neither Carnival Luminosa nor Quantum of the Seas will call in Brisbane on Thursday or Friday. Other scheduled cruise calls are under consideration by MSQ and the cruise lines. “Today, wind speeds have increased significantly across the region, including at the Port of Brisbane. Current estimates suggest those winds are likely to exceed 120 km/h, and possibly reach as high as 155km/h, in the days ahead.”

PoB re-iterated:

“It is important to again ensure all Port tenants and businesses carry out their own severe weather preparation processes, including tying down any equipment or plant, securing all cargoes and reducing container stacks where possible. All port tenants/businesses are advised to implement their own severe weather preparedness plans, adhere to State and Local Government/Emergency Management directions, and make decisions regarding their own operations.

“Tug operations will cease from midday Wednesday and will remain on emergency standby until business operations resume.”

The Port of Hay Point was cleared by order of the Regional Harbour Master on Monday due to swell conditions and DCN understands the last vessel to depart suffered minor damage from movement while alongside and a fender was slightly damaged at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal

The Bureau of Meteorology is now predicting the cyclone will cross the Queensland coast between Maroochydore and Coolangatta early Friday morning at Category 2 strength. Beaches and coastal airports have closed, with waves at Tweed Heads reported at 10 metres.

At its 1320 update the BOM said TC Alfred has sustained winds near the centre of 95 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 130 kilometres per hour. It was located within 30 kilometres of 27.4 degrees South 156.4 degrees East, estimated to be 335 kilometres east of Brisbane and 310 kilometres east northeast of Gold Coast, and moving west northwest at 16 kilometres per hour.

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to develop along the southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coastal and island communities between Double Island Point and Grafton from later today and persist on Thursday, and Friday.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 155 kilometres per hour may develop about coastal and island locations near and to the south of the track, possibly as far south as about Cape Byron, from Thursday afternoon as Alfred’s destructive core approaches and crosses the coast.

A DANGEROUS STORM TIDE may occur along the coastal foreshore, particularly in areas near and south of the cyclone centre, possible as far south as Cape Byron, if the time of coastal crossing coincides with the high tide early Friday morning. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the highest high tide mark with damaging waves and dangerous inundation of coastal low-lying areas.

ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are likely to continue causing MINOR FLOODING of coastal low lying areas between Double Island Point and Grafton, particularly during the time of high tides early Thursday morning (Wednesday night) and early Friday morning (Thursday night). DAMAGING SURF leading to significant beach erosion remains likely for the open beaches between Double Island Point and Grafton, and further south over the New South Wales coast. Separate Coastal Hazard and Hazardous Surf Warning are current for southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coasts.

HEAVY RAINFALL is forecast for southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales from Thursday. HEAVY to locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING that may occur near and south of the cyclone centre as Alfred approaches the coast late on Thursday and persist into Friday. Separate Severe Weather Warning and Flood Watch are current for southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales.