3rd March, 2025
The Port of Brisbane will see all inbound shipping movements suspended until further notice due to heavy swell. Tropical Cyclone Alfred is currently tracking towards southeast Queensland, bringing the potential for damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned that the cyclone is expected to slow and could impact Brisbane by Thursday. Both Queensland and northern New South Wales are set to experience severe coastal hazards, including large and powerful easterly swells and abnormally high tides, from as early as Monday.
Impact on Brisbane Port Operations
The worsening weather conditions have led to significant disruptions at Brisbane Port, with major terminals suspending export receivals until further notice. Below is a summary of the current situation:
Hutchison Ports
- All export container receivals stopped from 10:00 AM on Monday, March 3, due to the severe weather.
- Public appointments from 06:00 to 10:00 AM will be serviced.
- Stack Run In operations have been frozen.
- Unused export appointments will be waived.
- The situation will be reviewed at 5:00 AM on Wednesday, March 5.
DP World
- Export receivals have been halted since Friday, February 28, at 5:00 PM.
- Affected vessels include XIN LAN ZHOU, OOCL TEXAS, MAERSK GAIRLOCH, HANSA FREYBURG, TIAN XIANG HE, and TS SINGAPORE.
- Updates will be provided via 1-Stop as more information becomes available.
Patrick Terminals
- All export receivals have been suspended.
- Monday Day and Evening shifts are import-only.
- Tuesday Day shift will be import-only, with no Evening shift operations.
- Further updates on Wednesday operations will be communicated prior to the 9:00 AM announcement on Tuesday.
Port of Brisbane Shipping Movements
- All inbound shipping movements have been suspended until further notice due to heavy swell.
- Mariners are advised to maintain watch and listen on radio channels.
- Local radio channels can be found at: www.qldmaritime.msq.qld.gov.au.
- Marine weather updates can be accessed at: www.bom.gov.au.
- Mariners should check BOM and QLD Maritime at: qldmaritime.msq.qld.gov.au before heading out for the latest available information.
What This Means for Freight
The suspension of export receivals and limited port operations will likely result in shipment delays and congestion once normal operations resume. Businesses relying on exports should stay in close contact with their freight forwarders and monitor terminal updates for further developments.
We will continue to track the impact of Cyclone Alfred and provide updates as the situation unfolds.
Airfreight
No official advice has been provided for Brisbane airport closure, however we are monitoring the situation and will keep you updated.
