Subscribe to RSS feedDust storm suspends Sydney port operations
Port Botany and Sydney Harbour were closed and many flights to and from Sydney Airport disrupted after a fierce dust storm hit the city early this morning.
The thick red haze: Fort Denison, on Sydney Harbour, this morning as a dust storm hit Australia's east coast (Photo: NSW Maritime)
Sydney Ports Corporation said Port Botany and Sydney Harbour were closed because of gale-force winds and a thick dust cloud, which reduced visibility to about 400 metres.
DP World and Patrick suspended their stevedoring operations until further notice.
Four international flights into Sydney were diverted to Brisbane and several departures delayed while it was the same story for domestic services.
The Bureau of Meteorology described the dust storm as "one of the worst, if not the worst" in the city's history.
Sydney Ports said both the winds and the visibility levels contributed to the decision to close both Port Botany and Sydney Harbour.
Ferry services on the harbour have been suspended and the ports of Newcastle and Port Kembla were also being buffeted by winds of up to 45 knots.
A severe weather warning remains in place.
The arrival of a coal ship at Port Kembla was delayed by four hours this morning, which has caused similar delays to three other ships due to follow.
Newcastle Port Corporation reported high winds and visibility dropping to as little as 150 metres this morning, which saw two coal ship movements delayed.
A port corporation spokesman said conditions were being monitored ahead of the next scheduled ship movements later this afternoon.
There were no reports of delays at the port of Brisbane.
Photos: Janet Kavanagh / NSW Maritime
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