Fuel Tanker races to Darwin as cyclone Fina Threatens Northern Territory
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Darwin, Northern Territory – A fuel tanker is urgently offloading diesel at the Port of Darwin as Tropical Cyclone Fina rapidly approaches the Northern Territory’s capital, prompting widespread preparations and logistical challenges. Authorities confirm the region has a critically limited supply of diesel, with reserves estimated at just “four to five days.”
The arrival of the tanker, the Ardmore Seawolf, was expedited in response to the looming threat of one of the earliest cyclones on record for the region. According to a port official, the vessel was not originally scheduled to dock until Sunday, but agents were contacted to accelerate it’s journey and maximize fuel delivery.
“We contacted the agents and sped the ship up to get it into darwin and get as much fuel off as we can,” the official stated. “We then need to clear the harbor of all ships and move ships off the wharf so vessels don’t get damaged, infrastructure doesn’t get damaged, and crews are safe.”
The Port of Darwin is expected to close at 9 p.m. Friday evening, with the Ardmore Seawolf being the last vessel to depart. The priority is to secure as much diesel as possible for the Northern Territory before the port shuts down. A cruise ship originally slated to arrive this weekend has been rerouted to Dili, Timor-Leste, to avoid the cyclone’s path.
Disruptions to Maritime Trade and Cattle Exports
The impending cyclone is also causing meaningful disruption to other maritime activities. A live cattle ship, the Ganado Express, scheduled to dock in Darwin on Saturday, will now wait in the Timor Sea until the cyclone passes. The vessel was intended to load Northern Territory cattle for export to Indonesia, but loading operations are now postponed until Wednesday of next week.
“So that ship will be well out of harm’s way and wait for the storm to pass, and once it’s deemed safe to reopen the harbor we will be back to business,” the port official explained.
The live cattle export industry is facing a especially urgent challenge, rushing to move thousands of head of cattle away from flood plains in the Top End. With the weather bureau forecasting potential rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters, exporters are working to relocate livestock to higher ground accessible after the storm.
One cattle exporter, speaking while moving 6,000 head of cattle off Litchfield Station, emphasized the time sensitivity of the operation. “We’ve got two cattle ships [due into Darwin] in about seven, eight or nine days’ time,” he said.”There’s a little window here to get these cattle out, or they might be behind water or broken roads for a couple of weeks, so we’re in a bit of a hurry.”
The exporter reported moving 1,000 cattle off the station Thursday and an additional 3,200 on Friday,utilizing 13 triple road-trains before lunchtime and another five in the afternoon. While acknowledging potential pressure on export yards, the exporter expressed confidence in existing contingency plans and the well-being of the livestock.
Cyclone Fina’s Projected Path
The latest track map from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) indicates Tropical Cyclone Fina is expected to make landfall near Minjilang, then pass between the Tiwi islands and Darwin. .
The situation remains fluid, and authorities are closely monitoring the cyclone’s progress to ensure the safety of residents and the protection of critical infrastructure. The rapid response to secure fuel supplies and relocate livestock underscores the proactive measures being taken to mitigate the potential impact of this early-season cyclone.
