Tropical Cyclone Narelle: Port Impact Update

** Update 30 March 2026 **
The cyclone phase is now over and Narelle has been downgraded to tropical low, however operations are constrained due to infrastructure damage and readiness. All major Pilbara ports are now at Stage 5 (Re-open).

Port Dampier is open but cargo operations are restricted (cargo operations suspended due to damage). Ashburton has re-opened but pending inspection. Weather-related operational constraints remain at Fremantle with vessel scheduling impacted by residual swell and winds.

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** Update 27 March 2026 **
The Port of Broome reopened from 1230 hours local time yesterday (26 March) with normal operations resumed with caution. Full operations have resumed at Port Hedland, and the recovery phase is underway. However, Port Walcott, Onslow, Barrow Island, Cape Preston, Cape Cuvier (Carnarvon), Dampier, Varanus Island and Ashburton remain shut down (Cyclone Alert Stage 4) - port cleared with vessels on cyclone moorings.

Cyclone Narelle is Category 3, currently impacting west Pilbara and northern Gascoyne coast, extending south today with wind speeds of 155 km/h and gusts up to 220 km/h. It is expected to weaken over land Saturday.

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** Update 26 March 2026 **
The ports of Port Walcott, Onslow (including OMSB), Barrow Island, Cape Preston, Cape Cuvier (Port of Carnarvon), Port Dampier, Varanus Island and Ashburton are at Cyclone Alert Stage 4 – Shut Down, as gale-force winds, destructive gusts, and storm surge risk expected along Pilbara and Gascoyne coasts.

Cyclone Narelle is tracking west-southwest offshore, intensifying to Category 3–4 tonight. It is a large system whose impact extends well beyond the cyclone centre. It is expected to reach Category 4 today, with a 30–40% chance of Category 5 north of Pilbara coast.

It is expected to turn south-southeast offshore, passing near Northwest Cape on Friday with hurricane-force winds likely in western Pilbara and northern Gascoyne.

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** Update 25 March 2026 **

• Multiple ports expected to move to CLOSED PORT shortly
• System strengthening offshore and tracking along coast → risk increasing, not decreasing
• Vessel movement windows across Pilbara rapidly closing

The system remains a Category 1 tropical cyclone and is intensifying, with forecasts indicating it will reach Category 3 overnight (25 March) and Category 4 by Thursday. It is tracking west-southwest parallel to the Pilbara coast through Wednesday and Thursday, before turning south–southeast on Friday toward the Western Australia west coast. Due to its size, impacts are expected to extend well beyond the centre.

QLD / NT conditions are stable post-event, with recovery complete. The Pilbara remains the primary risk zone, with ports now in clearing phase and Port Hedland identified as the next escalation point. Risk is increasing in the Gascoyne region, particularly related to storm tide. Multiple ports are expected to move to CLOSED PORT status shortly. As the system strengthens offshore and tracks along the coast, overall risk is increasing, with vessel movement windows across the Pilbara rapidly closing.

Affected port status:

Cape Flattery / Cooktown

- All clear
- Port open; caution required (debris / depths)

Weipa / Amrun
- Open (restricted)
- Open subject to survey and RHM approval

Gove / Nhulunbuy
- Recovery / monitoring
- Residual risks; controlled movements

Groote Eylandt
- Recovery / monitoring
- Restricted / staged movements

Darwin / Wyndham
- Monitoring
- No current port impacts

Broome
- Clear port stage (active)
- Port cleared since 23 March; reopening possible 26 March (TBC); anchorages closed

Port Hedland
- Cyclone Alert Stage 2 – Prepare
- Anchorage closed; vessel departures ongoing; escalation imminent

Dampier
- Cyclone Alert Stage 3 – Clear Port
- Port clearing in progress; vessels departing

Ashburton
- Cyclone Alert Stage 3 – Clear Port
- Full clearing underway

Varanus Island
- Cyclone Alert Stage 3 – Clear Port
- Offshore clearing underway

Port Walcott / Cape Preston / Onslow / Barrow Island
- Cyclone Alert Stage 3 – Clear Port
- All ports in clearing phase

Carnarvon (Cape Cuvier)
- Cyclone Alert Stage 3 – Clear Port
- Escalated; preparing for closure

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** Update 24 March 2026 **

• Potential West Australia west coast impact late week / weekend
• Multiple ports moving toward full clearing within 24 hours
• System expected to strengthen offshore and track along coast → increasing risk

The system is now offshore west Kimberley, moving west-southwest, with a high chance of redevelopment into a tropical cyclone tonight (24 March) and expected to become a Severe Tropical Cyclone (Category 3) by Wednesday night.

The track remains parallel to Pilbara coast (Wednesday–Thursday), turning south–southeast Friday, with likely impact to the West Australia west coast over the weekend.

Affected port status:

Broome
- Clear Port Stage (Active)
- Port is cleared of all vessels. Re-entry possible ~26 Mar (TBC). Anchorages closed.

Port Hedland
- Cyclone Alert Stage 2 – Prepare
- Anchorage closed; evacuation underway; gales expected mid-week.

Dampier
- Cyclone Alert Stage 2 – Prepare
- Clearing operations underway; port to be cleared by 25 March.

Ashburton
- Cyclone Alert Stage 2 – Prepare
- Preparing for clear port; staged clearing in progress.

Varanus Island
- Cyclone Alert Stage 2 – Prepare
- Preparing for clear port; staged clearing in progress.

Port Walcott / Cape Preston / Onslow / Barrow Island
- Cyclone Alert Stage 2 – Prepare
- Escalated; clear port likely.

Carnarvon (Cape Cuvier / Useless Loop)
- Cyclone Alert Stage 2 – Prepare
- Monitoring; escalation possible.

The situation at ports in North Queensland is now stable with post-event recovery complete.

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** Update 23 March 2026 **
The risk to ports in North Queensland associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle (TL 34U) has now shifted to West Australia/Pilbara.

The system is now tracking west to west-southwest offshore the Kimberley coast and is forecast to re-intensify into a tropical cyclone by late Tuesday/Wednesday.

Port status today (23 March) is as follows:

• Cape Flattery/Cooktown
  - Condition White - All Clear.
  - Port open. Navigate with caution (debris/depths).
  
  
• Weipa/Amrun
  - Condition White – Open (Restricted).
  - Open subject to survey and Regional harbour Master approval.
  
  
• Gove/Nhulunbuy
  - Recovery/Monitoring.
  - Residual risks, controlled movements.
  
  
• Groote Eylandt
  - Recovery/Monitoring.
  - Restricted/staffed movement.
  
  
• Darwin
  - Monitoring.
  - System moving west. No closures.
  
  
• Wyndham
  - Monitoring.
  - System passing nearby, squally weather possible.
  
  
• Broome
  - Clear Port stage.
  - All vessels to clear by 16:00 hours local time today.
  
  
• Port Hedland
  - Cyclone Alert Stage 2 - Prepare.
  - Anchorage closed. Evacuation underway.
  
  
• Dampier
  - Cyclone Alert Stage 1 - Monitor.
  - Monitoring. Escalation possible.
  
  
• Port Walcott/ Cape Preston West
  - Cyclone Alert Stage 1 - Monitor.
  - Monitoring, similar outlook.
  
  
• Ashburton
  - Cyclone Alert Stage 1 - Monitor.
  - Monitoring, vessels preparing.
  
  
• Varanus Island
  - Cyclone Alert Stage 1 - Monitor.
  - Monitoring, readiness required.

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** Update 21 March 2026 **
At 0730 hours local time today (21 March), the Regional Harbour Master Cairns advised that the weather event associated with Tropical Cyclone Narelle has passed and recovery is underway.

The port of Weipa / Amrun is not yet fully open and vessel movements are strictly controlled. Vessels are not to leave cyclone moorings until official clearance is given.

At Skardon River, recovery phase is underway with restricted movements. Vessels to remain secured until directed by Port Control.

The All Clear has been given at Cape Flattery / Cooktown. The port is open, with operations resuming. Mariners to proceed with caution due to possible debris and changing depths.

Harbour Master post-event advice:

• Do not assume it is safe to move vessels despite weather passing.
• Vessels to remain in cyclone moorings until official all clear.
• Maintain listening watch on VHF 16 & 12 (Weipa VTS) / VHF 16 & 9 (Skardon River Port Control).
• Movements at Regional Harbour Master (Cairns) discretion, likely staged.
• Expect limited internal port movements only until channels declared safe.
• Check Notices to Mariners for updated depths and conditions.

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** Update 20 March 2026 **

The port of Weipa remains closed due to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Only emergency vessel movements are permitted. All vessels are to stay in cyclone moorings/designated areas until official clearance.

At Skardon River, the port status is at Orange – Watch & Act. Destructive winds, swell, or flooding possible within 12–24 hours. Vessels should sail if safe; otherwise, implement standard cyclone precautions. Smaller vessels to secure in designated moorings.

The All Clear has been given at Cape Flattery / Cooktown. The weather event has passed and the port is now open. Mariners should navigate with caution, watch for debris, and consult latest Notices to Mariners for updated depths and conditions.

Masters should:
- Check vessel readiness and draft before sailing.
- Follow all instructions from the Regional Harbour Master (Cairns).
- Maintain vigilance for debris and residual hazards in all ports.
- Refer to the Extreme Weather Event Contingency Plan via Maritime Safety Queensland for full guidance: MSQ Plan

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** 19 March 2026 **

Severe system (Category 4-5) Tropical Cyclone Narelle is impacting Cape York, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge and very rough seas. Significant disruption to marine operations across both coasts is expected.

Cape Flattery / Cooktown (East Coast)

• Direct impact zone. Dangerous seas and strong winds.
• Port closed – no commercial operations.
• Only emergency vessel movements permitted.

Weipa / Amrun (West Coast)

• In pre-impact phase. Conditions expected to worsen as system crosses into the Gulf.
• High risk of re-intensification, leading to prolonged severe conditions.
• Port closure highly likely, with extended disruption expected.

Multi-day delays and significant vessel backlog can be expected.

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