Dust Storm leads to closure of Port Botany and Sydney Harbour

On Wednesday 23 September 2009, shipping and port operations were disrupted as adverse weather caused by a dust storm forced the closure of Sydney’s ports.

An outback dust storm swept across eastern Australia and blanketed Sydney, disrupting transport services across the city and suspending ferry services on the harbour.

In order to ensure the safety of navigation, the Harbour Master closed the ports for approximately three hours, with some ship movement restrictions in force during the high wind conditions.

Port Botany re-opened by midday but was subject to wind-related restrictions.