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19 February, 2025
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Australian iron ore ports momentarily disorganized by Cyclone Zelia!

Despite a Category 5 punch and a 3-day halt at key ports in West Australia, Cyclone Zelia left iron ore operations largely intact with BHP and FMG already back in action.

Chart showing Australia’s weekly iron ore loadings (Mt/Wk) from January 2023 to February 2025 in IFCHOR GALBRAITHS' brand colors (navy blue, yellow, and white). The latest data (16-Feb-25) indicates a sharp decline to 8.4 Mt, marking a 5-year low, with a -53% YoY and -35% MoM drop. This decline follows disruptions caused by Cyclone Zelia, which halted operations at key ports in Western Australia. The chart also highlights the 5-year minimum and maximum range for context.

Nevertheless, weekly iron ore exports from Australia have dropped -36% WoW to a 5-year low of 8.4Mt and port congestion in the area showed 105 Capesize vessels waiting yesterday (+220% MoM). This backlog could squeeze spot ship availability for balance of 1Q’25 and shift to iron ore demand to Brazil and other origins in the Atlantic.

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