Relief for Aussie ports as cyclone passes

Hay Point and Mackay both confirmed they were open quite soon after the storm’s passing, and while Abbot Point remained shut for longer due to a power loss, this proved to be a short term problem.

Wind warnings of various degrees of strength were issued for a stretch of coast some 1,600 km long, running from Cape Melville to Gladstone in February. However, tropical cyclone Yasi was downgraded from a category five to a category three system after crossing the Queensland coast near Cairns.

Port of Gladstone Corporation chief executive Leo Zussino said that his port was outside the immediate cyclone warning area and so hadn’t “expected much impact” from Cyclone Yasi.

Many parts of Queensland, including the coal ports, are still suffering from months of flooding, though the worst floods hit areas were hundreds of kilometres south of the cyclone’s path. However, Mr Zussino also said Gladstone was quickly moving towards full operating capacity following the devastating floods. “Our stockpiles are just over one million tonnes,” Mr Zussino said.