A train derailment and scheduled railway maintenance work will result in coal export losses of approximately 570,000 mt in Newcastle, Australia.
Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS), operator of the two terminals in Newcastle port said on March 15 that the derailment has resulted in an estimated throughput loss of about 419,000 mt, with the scheduled track and loader work resulting in a loss of 151,000 mt.
Vessel loading operations at both PWCS' Kooragang Island and Carrington terminals ceased once port-side stocks were exhausted. It is expected that rail movements to PWCS will return to normal by March 16, enabling PWCS to build up stocks and recommence loading as soon as practically possible, probably in a week.
The harbor caters to mining giants Rio Tinto, BHP Biliton and Xstrata, exporting both thermal and coking coal.