The Australian supply chain software company beat international competitors to win the deal and will provide its Horizon advanced planning and scheduling software to the coal chain manager.

HVCCC must coordinate and plan coal movements from 35 coal producers in the region, which has more than 27 rail load points.

The organisation is also scheduling for the movement and loading of more than 1000 coal vessels each year through Newcastle’s port, with vessel queue management forming an integral part of the whole coal chain.

QMastor managing director Trent Bagnall said the contract was a major project for the company in terms of the impact and strategic significance to the supply chain of its customers.

“It is one of the most important projects QMastor has undertaken to date and represents significant exposure for our products and for QMastor globally,” he said.

“It is the type of project that QMastor wants to be involved with and allows us to showcase our products and capabilities for a high-profile client."

He added that the contract reaffirmed the company’s world leading position in its field.

“Our systems provide real value for our clients and can be applied to globally significant operations such as this one for the Australian coal industry."

HVCCC represents all Hunter Valley producers along with service providers and formally replaced the Hunter Valley Coal Chain Logistics Team in late August.