WA authorities are facing a critical shortage of highly skilled marine pilots who operate huge ships in the state’s ports.

The lack of workers could have a serious affect on iron ore exports at Port Hedland, the largest bulk-export port in the world.

Pilbara Ports Authority CEO Roger Johnston says there’s a lot of money at stake.

“Last year we did 545 million tonnes out of this port … it’s head and shoulders above any other bulk port in the planet,” he said on 6PR Mornings.

“A vessel today in typical terms carries about $25-30 million of iron-ore, in current market conditions.

“And we actually run about nine to ten vessels a day out of the Port Hedland channel.

“So you can understand that $250-300 million a day worth of revenue generation, you don’t want that to be disrupted.”

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