Probe deepens into why ATSB wasn’t alerted to a Fortescue iron ore ship emergency at Port HedlandAdrian RausoThe West AustralianThu, 9 October 2025 12:36PMEmail Adrian Rauso
The nation’s transport safety investigator is digging deeper into why it was not made aware of an emergency involving a Fortescue iron ore bulk carrier breaking down at WA’s most valuable port.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau on Thursday released its interim report into the grounding of FMG Nicola in the only shipping channel at the busy Port of Port Hedland.
The incident occurred in February but only came to light after a media report five months later.
FMG Nicola was laden with iron ore from Fortescue’s Pilbara mines when it left the Port Hedland harbour on February 7 while being assisted by four tug boats.
“About an hour into the ship’s transit of Port Hedland’s single shipping channel, travelling at about 8.3 knots with two tugs still secured and a third nearby, the ship’s main engine suddenly shut down,” the ATSB stated.
FMG Nicola’s pilot informed the tug masters that propulsion had been lost and directed them to help keep the ship in the channel. The pilot then notified vessel traffic service of the emergency and requested additional tugs.
“Over the next half hour, the ship neared the western, and then the eastern side of the channel, before travelling along the channel’s eastern edge as it slowed gradually,” ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.
“During this sequence, four more tugs joined the three already attending, and the pilots and tug masters collectively worked to keep the ship inside the channel.”
After safety checks were made, the tugs escorted the ship out of the channel towards open water. The ship arrived safely in China.
Mr Mitchell noted that the investigation is ongoing and would delve into the reporting of the incident to authorities.
“A full report of the incident did not reach the ATSB at the time of the occurrence, and the ATSB only became aware of its potential seriousness after media reporting in July 2025 suggested FMG Nicola had grounded while departing Port Hedland on 7 February,” he said.
FMG Nicola’s local agent submitted the appropriate incident reports, including to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s local office in Port Hedland, but those reports did not reach the ATSB.
Mr Mitchell said the incident was serious enough for the ATSB to be involved, given the potential impact to the flow of trade at the world’s biggest bulk export port.
“The features of the Port Hedland channel make the risks associated with channel blockage high,” he said.
“A disabled ship can strand on a receding tide as well as blocking the passage of other ships.
“Depending on departure times, separation between ships and the location of an incident, up to three additional ships could be committed to, or within, the channel and exposed to this hazard at a given time.”
The final investigation report is set to be released by the end of this year.
Port Hedland is the export hub for Gina Rinehart’s Roy Hill and all of BHP’s WA iron ore. BHP’s tug fleet reportedly played a big role in helping rescue FMG Nicola.
The FMG Nicola was named after Nicola Forrest and made its maiden voyage in 2016.
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