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09 Jan 2026 / North Queensland, Australia

Ports prepare for cyclone

[** UPDATE 9 JANUARY 2026 **]
There is a high risk of a tropical cyclone developing near the northeast Queensland coast tomorrow (Saturday 10 January).

Severe Weather Warnings and Flood Watches/Warnings are also current. The low is forecast to develop further as it moves closer to the coast, and the risk it develops into a tropical cyclone is High on Saturday.

The Port of Townsville suspended commercial shipping from 1800 hours local time yesterday (8 January) and is moving to Condition Yellow in preparation for what is now expected to be a Category 1 cyclone crossing the coast north of Townsville at the weekend (10-11 January). At this stage, the port will remains operational.

Once the system has passed, the situation is expected to be reassessed on Sunday morning for an update on the potential reopening of shipping operations. Any shipping operations will also be subject to terminal readiness and labour availability.

Lucinda Compulsory Pilotage Area and Terminal was CLOSED at 1800 hours on yesterday.

Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and Hay Point Coal Terminal have ceased shipping operations with next berthing tentatively scheduled for Monday 12 January.

The Regional Harbour Master has closed the Port of Abbot Point to commercial shipping until further notice. Abbot Point Coal Terminal has tentatively re-scheduled shipping movements for 12 January.

[** 8 JANUARY 2026 **]
Ports in North Queensland are braced for the increased risk of a tropical low developing into a tropical cyclone tomorrow night (9 January) or Saturday morning.

A deepening monsoon low 12U lies to the north of Willis Island and is likely to move in a general westwards direction, towards the northeast Queensland coast over the next day or so. It is likely to develop as it moves closer to the coast, and the risk of tropical cyclone development increases to Moderate (45%) on Friday night.

A Strong Wind Warning is today (8 January) in force for the Torres Strait, as well as the Cooktown, Cairns, Townsville and Mackay Coasts. There is also a Gale Warning for tomorrow (9 January) for the Cooktown, Cairns and Townsville Coasts, as well as Strong Wind Warning for the Torres Strait, and Peninsula and Mackay Coasts.

There is increased risk of rain, flooding, wind and marine hazards for the northeast Queensland coast, north of Central Coast.

Townsville
The Compulsory Pilotage area has been CLOSED from 18:00 hours local time today due current and emerging weather events. Mariners are advised to communicate with Townsville VTS on VHF CH 12/16 and Reef VTS on VHF CH 11/14.
Marine weather forecasts can be found at https://www.bom.gov.au/marine/...

From Sunday onwards, the risk of a tropical cyclone decreases back to Low as 12U is likely to have moved over land. During next week 12U may move over Gulf of Carpentaria waters where it has a Low chance of becoming a tropical cyclone.

Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal
The Terminal has ceased shipping operations with next berthing at this stage scheduled for 12 January.

Hay Point Coal Terminal
The Terminal has ceased shipping operations. Berths 1 & 2 are vacant due to weather, and Berth 3 is under maintenance. If the attempted berthing of a Cape size vessel on 9 January is unsuccessful, next berthing will be scheduled from 12 January.

Port of Abbot Point / Abbot Point Coal Terminal
Abbot Point Compulsory Pilotage area and Terminal closed to commercial ships. Port to be closed to commercial shipping on departure of vessels currently at Berth 1 and Berth 2.
Tugs have been ordered to depart Abbot Point to severe weather moorings.
Abbot Point Coal Terminal has re-scheduled shipping movements for 12 January.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in Australia, contact GAC Australia at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.

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