The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) of Australia forecasts La Nina weather pattern to extend through April, increasing the potential for disruptions to coal, iron ore and LNG sectors as the phenomenon brings wetter weather to north and east Australia.

The BOM previously anticipated the effects of La Nina to end by late February but wetter than average weather could lead to localized flooding in the coal fields in the Hunter and Gunnedah Basin, as well as near the ports of Gladstone, Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay.

Australian rail firm Aurizon cut its coal haulage guidance to 202 MMT from 212 MMT for the 2021/22 year in response to the heavy rains and storms. In previous years, Abbot Point, Dalrymple Bay and Hay point, Queensland’s coal ports, have had to close due to cyclones caused by La Nina.

Similarly, cyclone activity in northern WA could disrupt the nation’s exports of iron ore, LNG, and petroleum. In 2019, Cyclone Veronica hit the WA coast and caused iron ore shipments to slow down for months , forcing major producers to cut their production guidance.