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Port of Townsville Closed. Condition RED now in effect.
Port of Townsville has moved to Condition RED and is preparing for official closure at 10am today in preparation for Tropical Cyclone Kirrily, expected to make landfall this evening. The Port is working to: Finalise evacuation of Port Staff and Port Users and secure the Port for closure at 1000. Monitor TC Kirrily and determine a time for port re-entry when conditions have cleared. Maintain close contact with the Bureau of Meteorology, Maritime Safety Queensland and Port Users in order to reopen the Port to landside operations and commercial shipping when it is safe to do so. Port of Townsville General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety, Drew Penny said, under current BOM forecasts, Port operational staff are expecting to return to the Port on Friday mid-morning. “Re-entry to the port will, of course, be determined by how the weather system unfolds overnight and human safety will be the primary consideration in getting the Port back up and running,” said Mr Penny. “Once we have determined it is safe to do so, we expect a staged reopening of landside operations, followed by commercial shipping, under the direction of Maritime Safety Queensland. “Throughout this week, our cyclone preparations have flowed very smoothly. The Port team, our service providers and customers have done an excellent job to ensure we are well-placed to endure the heavy rains and strong winds expected.”
Port moves to Condition ORANGE as Tropical Low approaches the coast
Port of Townsville has moved to Condition ORANGE as the Tropical Low off the North Queensland coast is expected to cause severe weather in the next 24 hours. Commercial shipping operations at the Port finished this morning with all commercial vessels now departed and floating plant secured. At this time, the Port landside operations remain open, although closure is anticipated at 10am tomorrow, Thursday 25 January 2024, pending changes to weather conditions. Condition ORANGE preparations include: Completing removal of cargo, equipment and marine pollutants from any area that may be impacted by tidal surge or floods Completing tie-down or removal of all loose equipment and plant. Isolating part of the potable water and fire water services Directing non-operational staff to leave the Port Maintaining contact with Maritime Safety Queensland, Port tenants and users to minimise impact; and Reviewing resourcing plans for the coming days, particularly with respect to the recovery period. Port of Townsville General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety, Drew Penny said Port staff are continuing to work closely with the Bureau of Meteorology, Maritime Safety Queensland and the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group as the weather system approaches. “Our team has worked tirelessly in coordination with Port tenants and users over the past few days to prepare the Port for the severe winds and heavy rains expected as the Tropical Low approaches the coast. “We are continuing to do all we can to minimise damage to critical port infrastructure over the coming days and to ensure we are ready to resume shipping as soon as Maritime Safety Queensland determines it is safe to do so.”
Port moves to Condition YELLOW as cyclone prep advances
Port of Townsville has moved to Condition YELLOW as preparation for the Tropical Low off the North Queensland coast continues at Townsville and Lucinda ports. At this time, the Port remains open with commercial shipping being finalised this morning. Channel widening has been suspended with backhoe dredge, Woomera, and its support vessels moved to cyclone moorings. Floating plant, pontoons and cranes have been secured. Cyclone preparations underway at the Port of Townsville include: Minimising cargo on berths and laydown areas Removing cargo and equipment from tidal surge or flood prone areas Implementing tie-down plans, securing buildings and clearing debris Preparing to implement the Cyclone Evacuation Plan should it be required Reviewing risks associated with storm tides to determine possible impacts to power and water within the port (no impact expected at this stage) Maintaining contact with Maritime Safety Queensland, Port tenants and users to minimise impact; and Reviewing resourcing plans for the coming days, particularly with respect to the recovery period. Port of Townsville General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety, Drew Penny said the Port’s cyclone preparedness was well advanced. “Our Port’s Crisis Management Team has been enacting plans since Monday and to ensure we are well prepared for whatever the weather might deliver over the coming days,” Mr Penny said. “We are continuing to work closely with the Bureau of Meteorology and Maritime Safety Queensland on precautionary measures to ensure the safety of Port staff and workers and minimise damage to critical infrastructure.” The Port continues to follow advice from Bureau of Meteorology, Townsville Local Disaster Management Group and the Regional Harbour Master.
Port continues cyclone preparation
Port of Townsville is continuing preparations for the developing Tropical Low off the Queensland coast, which is forecast to develop into a cyclone in the coming days. At this time, the Port remains fully operational, with Tuesday’s 8am arrival of cruise ship Seven Seas Explorer to continue as planned. However, German cruise ship Vasco Da Gama has cancelled its scheduled visit on Wednesday in anticipation of deteriorating weather. Current cyclone preparations being conducted at the Port of Townsville include: Minimising cargo on berths and laydown area Removing cargo and equipment from tidal surge or flood prone areas Implementing tie-down plans, securing buildings and clearing debris; and Preparing to implement the Cyclone Evacuation Plan should it be required. Port of Townsville General Manager Customer, Operations and Safety, Drew Penny said the Port was well prepared for wild weather should it eventuate over the coming days. “The Port of Townsville begins its cyclone preparedness on 1 November each year and many of the preparations we undertook ahead of Cyclone Jasper in December remain in place,” said Mr Penny. “We will continue to take advice from the Bureau of Meteorology and Maritime Safety Queensland, and take the appropriate precautions for ensuring the safety of all port workers and visiting seafarers as the weather system approaches. “At this time, weather forecasts show favourable conditions for visitors arriving on board Seven Seas Explorer and our port team looks forward to welcoming 1,300 passengers and crew. Vasco Da Gama will seek to avoid wind and rain on Wednesday.” The Port continues to follow advice from Bureau of Meteorology, Townsville Local Disaster Management Group and the Regional Harbour Master.