SYDNEY - A tropical cyclone forced Australia's second-biggest coal port to close on Friday, bringing millions of tons of coal shipments to a halt and threatening to damage thousands of acres of sugar-cane fields.

Australia's Dalrymple Bay coal terminal ceased operations due to the approaching storm, which is packing winds of more than 150 kilometers per hour, a terminal spokesman said, adding that the port might have to evacuate staff.

"We have ceased operations and our last ship has sailed," the spokesman said, adding it would be Monday at the earliest before the terminal could be expected to reopen.