Tropical cyclone cancels Darwin flights, delays shipping

Fallen trees roll down a street during a storm brought by Cyclone Marcus in Darwin, Australia, March 17, 2018 in this still image taken from social media video. Debra Witte/via REUTERS

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Flights to Australia's northern city of Darwin were cancelled on Saturday due to Tropical Cyclone Marcus and will not resume until midnight at the earliest, with commercial shipping also disrupted.

Cyclone Marcus hit Darwin, capital of Australia's Northern Territory, with wind speeds of 130km per hour over the harbour and heavy rains on Saturday morning.

Airlines affected include Jetstar, JetAsia, Qantas<QAN.AX> , Emirates[EMIRA.UL], Philippine Airlines, Airnorth, Virgin Australia <VAH.AX> and American Airlines.

Trees fall during a storm brought by Cyclone Marcus in Darwin, Australia, March 17, 2018 in this still image taken from social media video. Brodie McGee/via REUTERS

International routes including Singapore and Bali were also hit.

Shipping was delayed with empty live cattle export ships ready to load heading out to sea to ride out the cyclone, and cruise ship Queen Mary 2 cancelling its Darwin stop as it makes its way to Bali.

Trees fall during a storm brought by Cyclone Marcus in Darwin, Australia, March 17, 2018 in this still image taken from social media video. Brodie McGee/via REUTERS

(Reporting by Alison Bevege; Editing by Nick Macfie)