DBCT chief executive officer Eric Kolatchew said the coal export terminal was now the world’s third largest and the milestone completion was the result of more than four years of intense engineering and construction effort.

He said around 1000 workers were involved in the construction during its peak.

DBCT said shiploading could now take place using three outloading conveyors feeding three shiploaders on four berths.

“Completion of the expansion has occurred at a time when the demand for coal exports is again seeing a marked increase,” DBCT general manager operations Greg Smith said.

“After experiencing a considerable drop in exports of metallurgical coals in November 2008, the market trend reversed in late February and has continued to climb since then due to strong sales with China in both metallurgical and thermal coals.

“While the sustainability of increased activity internationally remains unclear at present, we are confident in the strong market position of DBCT and its underlying attractiveness as a dominant hub for the export of coal from the Queensland marketplace.”

DBCT said studies were currently underway to determine the shape and viability of future expansion pathways.

In May, Macarthur Coal inked a contract with rail operator Pacific National to haul up to 3.7Mtpa to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, beginning this month.

The first phase of the terminal upgrade, known as the DBCT 7X Project, was completed in March last year, resulting in 69Mtpa capacity, and the second phase was completed in December, reaching 72Mtpa capacity.

DBCT is wholly owned by debt-heavy Babcock & Brown Infrastructure, which plans to sell either a minor or total stake of the asset previously estimated to be worth $2.3 billion.

Last year 83.9Mt of coal were exported from DBCT and the neighbouring Hay Point Coal Terminal, which is wholly owned by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance.

DBCT serves 10 northern Bowen Basin mines.