Shipping figures up despite shutdown

Local shipping figures have nudged upwards as Pilbara Ports Authority passes 55.8 million tonnes for the first month of the year.

A PPA spokeswoman said the haul was an increase of 7 per cent compared with the same month in 2016 and an increase of 3 per cent from 2017.

The increases are significant because the port had been closed for 43 hours because ofex-tropical cyclone Joyce.

The Port of Port Hedland achieved a monthly throughput of 41.8Mt, with an increase of 2 per cent in iron ore exports for January.

Imports totalled 118,000 tonnes, a decrease of 3 per cent from the same month last year.

The Port of Dampier delivered a total monthly throughput of 13.7Mt, an increase of 16 per cent from the previous year, while imports totalled 79,000 tonnes, which equated to a decrease of 31 per cent from the same time last year.

The PPA is also calling for Port Hedland residents to become part of a community consultation committee, set to meet three times a year to update the community and provide a soundboard for residents’ questions. Members of the community can register their interest by February 16.