SYDNEY, Feb 11 (Reuters) - The operator of Australia's

iron ore export hub Port Hedland said on Tuesday it had started

clearing vessels from the port after a weather warning from the

Bureau of Meteorology.

A tropical low pressure weather system is expected to slowly

move toward the south or southwest before heading southeast on

Thursday or Friday, Pilbara Ports said in a statement.

Port Hedland is used by BHP Group ( BHP ), Fortescue

and billionaire Gina Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting.

It is the world's largest bulk export port. Shipments from

the port include iron ore, lithium and salt.

Rio Tinto's operations, 250 km (155 miles) southwest

of Port Hedland have been impacted twice during the current

tropical cyclone season, which runs from November to end-April.