 The transport convoy reached Guadalcanal and successfully unloaded its cargo on 30 – 31 January . The rest of Halsey 's warships took station in the Coral Sea south of the Solomons to wait for the approach of any Japanese warship forces supporting what the Allies believed to be an imminent offensive . The departure of TF 18 from the Guadalcanal area removed a significant potential threat to the Ke operation . 
