Severe Weather Closes Australian Ports

zoomPort Kembla A slow moving low pressure system is bringing severe weather conditions off Australias New South Wales coast, prompting port closures at Port Kembla and Sydney and the imposition of restrictions in Newcastle, GAC reports. Port Kembla remains closed with monitoring of the port entrance to continue. The port will re-open when conditions ease, which may not be until April 23. The port has been experiencing winds in excess of 40 knots at stages and high seas at the entrance and approaches to the port, making boarding operations, ship handling and tug operations extremely hazardous. In the Sydney area, Port Botany and Port Jackson have been closed since 8 am local time today (21 April). Monitoring will continue, but the ports could remain closed for next 48 hours. Destructive winds, heavy rainfall and very heavy swell is expected to continue throughout today. The port entrance at Newcastle will be set as Heavy with selected restrictions in place for up to the next 12-36 hours, pending further inspections.