Ship movements in or out of the Port Hedland harbour in Western Australia, BHP Billiton's key iron ore port, were blocked for about 12 hours after a vessel servicing Fortescue Metals Group Ltd ran aground last night.
The vessel was on Friday refloated on high tide and was being escorted out of the channel, Fortescue said.
"This certainly makes you think, what would happen if a third party's train broke down on our rail line and stopped us being able to rail product to port to send to our customers," BHP Billiton spokesperson Sam Evans told reporters.
A host of companies led by Fortescue Metals are seeking access to the railways of Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton in the Pilbara to export iron ore amid rising prices for the commodity.
Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton have been staunchly opposed to the proposal, saying the Pilbara would mirror the congested coal railways and ports on the east coast if third parties are allowed access.
Fortescue spokesperson Cameron Morse declined to comment.
BHP Billiton has two separate port operations located on opposite sides of the harbour that are capable of handling four ships at a time, each carrying up to 300,000 tonnes of ore.
The company tends to sail sail about two ships per day from its port operations and is currently loading three vessels.
Fortescue said the ship, which was loaded with 155,000 tonnes of iron ore, sailed under the control of the Port Hedland Port Authority with a pilot on board, but had run aground as it departed the harbour.
Port Hedland Port Authority said the MV Iron King, owned by SK Shipping PLc Europe, experienced steering failure, which resulted in the ship swinging starboard on exiting the port and running aground.
Fortescue said the costs of the refloating operation along with any charges for ship repairs would be borne by SK Shipping.