The CBS at Port Waratah Coal Services was ended last year after Hunter Valley producers voted against it, but high vessel queues at Newcastle have since surpassed the capacity of the coal chain and again stressed the need for change.
While the vessel queue at Newcastle reached 64 vessels earlier this month, and is anticipated to increase over the coming month, Hunter Valley producers remain confident that the targeted capacity for February will be delivered to the coal export industry.
Under the CBS, coal companies have their forecast requirements for coal handling services decreased proportionately to match the capacity of the coal chain. If the decision is made to reintroduce it, it will then have to be endorsed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The Hunter Valley Coal Chain is the largest coal export operation in the world consisting of 30 coal mines, 17 producers, 23 points for loading coal onto trains, about 28 trains making two trips per day, five coal berths and ship loaders and about 1.5 million tonnes of useable stockpile space at Newcastle Port.
