Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) is advising of the approach of Cyclone Ita towards the North Queensland coast of Australia. Forecast to develop into a severe category level 4 tropical cyclone, it is expected to make landfall late on Friday 11th April between the Lockhart River and Cape Flattery.

With gale force winds and high sea levels predicted, warnings of potential floods to low lying areas are being issued.

ISS Australia has provided the latest port update from the region and will continue to monitor the impact of the storm on behalf of shipowners and operators. Future updates will be posted to the company website at Inchcape Shipping Services - News

Thursday Island (OPEN) - Open to all movements

Cape Flattery (RESTRICTED MOVEMENTS) - Yellow Watch – All vessels instructed to move for safety, likely to close later this Afternoon

Cooktown (RESTRICTED MOVEMENTS) - Yellow Watch – All vessels instructed to move for safety likely, to close later this afternoon

Port Douglas (RESTRICTED MOVEMENTS) - Yellow Watch – All vessel instructed to move for safety, likely to close later this afternoon

Weipa (OPEN) - Open to all movements

Karumba (OPEN) - Open to all movements

Cairns (RESTRICTED MOVEMENTS) - Under Extreme Weather Watch – Open but movements accessed individually.

Mourilyan (OPEN) - Open to all shipping

Townsville (OPEN) - Open to all shipping, however conditions are being monitored and further updates will be issued when required.

Abbot Point (OPEN) - Open to all shipping

 Mackay (OPEN) - Open to all shipping

Hay Point / DBCT (OPEN) - Open to all shipping

Gladstone (OPEN) - Open to all shipping

About ISS
Inchcape Shipping Services is the world's leading maritime services provider. With over 300 proprietary offices in 66 countries, and a workforce of over 3,800, the company’s diverse global customer base now includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as naval, government and inter-governmental organisations.

ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support, informational and other associated marine services. The company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services including global crew and marine spares logistics; port hub agency management; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet.