Newcastle coal shipments plummet due to heavy rain during May
Export commodity data shows only 8.94 million tonnes of coal left the port during the month due to sustained difficulties with ship loading.
The figure compares with the 11.4 million tonnes, which were exported in April.
Just under 54 million tonnes have been exported for the year to date.
Last month's restricted operations have led to a queue of coal ships, which stretched as far south as Budgewoi on Wednesday.
A spokesman for Port Waratah Coal Services, which loaded 5.1 million tonnes for the month, said multiple ocean swell events and a large amount of fresh water entering the harbour significantly affected its operations and limited vessel movements.
"There are a number of considerations we employ to operate safely with higher levels of fresh water in the harbour," he said.
"We continue to make every effort to manage weather impacts, harbour conditions, stormwater onsite, and keep everyone safe.
"We have experienced this type of inclement weather in recent years. However, the prolonged duration of wet weather in May and other conditions, including network closures, have resulted in lower than average operating statistics this month (May).
He said the company was working with its customers and Hunter Valley Coal Chain partners to maximise coal delivery onto vessels.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) said operations on the Hunter Valley Network remained open for all services.
Full operations to the North Coast were restored late last week.
"ARTC will be actively monitoring track condition between trains, temporary speed restrictions are in place along the alignment and will remain until track health stabilises," it said in a statement.
The International Energy Agency has predicted demand for Australian coal from South East Asia will remain high for the next few years.
Half of the coal exported through the port in recent years went to Japan, while about 30 per cent went to China.
Other markets, including South Korea and Taiwan, remained stable.
The ongoing demand for Australian coal is occurring at the same time as countries including Japan and South Korea are actively engaged with the Port of Newcastle on the development of its clean energy precinct.
Coal continues to represent the Hunter's largest and Australia's second-largest commodity export earner after iron ore, accounting for an expected $75 billion of exports this financial year.
Last month's rainfall caused coal exports through the Port of Newcastle to plummet to near record low levels.
Export commodity data shows only 8.94 million tonnes of coal left the port during the month due to sustained difficulties with ship loading.
The figure compares with the 11.4 million tonnes, which were exported in April.
Just under 54 million tonnes have been exported for the year to date.
Last month's restricted operations have led to a queue of coal ships, which stretched as far south as Budgewoi on Wednesday.
A spokesman for Port Waratah Coal Services, which loaded 5.1 million tonnes for the month, said multiple ocean swell events and a large amount of fresh water entering the harbour significantly affected its operations and limited vessel movements.
"There are a number of considerations we employ to operate safely with higher levels of fresh water in the harbour," he said.
"We continue to make every effort to manage weather impacts, harbour conditions, stormwater onsite, and keep everyone safe.
"We have experienced this type of inclement weather in recent years. However, the prolonged duration of wet weather in May and other conditions, including network closures, have resulted in lower than average operating statistics this month (May).
He said the company was working with its customers and Hunter Valley Coal Chain partners to maximise coal delivery onto vessels.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) said operations on the Hunter Valley Network remained open for all services.
Full operations to the North Coast were restored late last week.
"ARTC will be actively monitoring track condition between trains, temporary speed restrictions are in place along the alignment and will remain until track health stabilises," it said in a statement.
The International Energy Agency has predicted demand for Australian coal from South East Asia will remain high for the next few years.
Half of the coal exported through the port in recent years went to Japan, while about 30 per cent went to China.
Other markets, including South Korea and Taiwan, remained stable.
The ongoing demand for Australian coal is occurring at the same time as countries including Japan and South Korea are actively engaged with the Port of Newcastle on the development of its clean energy precinct.
Coal continues to represent the Hunter's largest and Australia's second-largest commodity export earner after iron ore, accounting for an expected $75 billion of exports this financial year.
Last month's rainfall caused coal exports through the Port of Newcastle to plummet to near record low levels.
Export commodity data shows only 8.94 million tonnes of coal left the port during the month due to sustained difficulties with ship loading.
The figure compares with the 11.4 million tonnes, which were exported in April.
Just under 54 million tonnes have been exported for the year to date.
Last month's restricted operations have led to a queue of coal ships, which stretched as far south as Budgewoi on Wednesday.
A spokesman for Port Waratah Coal Services, which loaded 5.1 million tonnes for the month, said multiple ocean swell events and a large amount of fresh water entering the harbour significantly affected its operations and limited vessel movements.
"There are a number of considerations we employ to operate safely with higher levels of fresh water in the harbour," he said.
"We continue to make every effort to manage weather impacts, harbour conditions, stormwater onsite, and keep everyone safe.
"We have experienced this type of inclement weather in recent years. However, the prolonged duration of wet weather in May and other conditions, including network closures, have resulted in lower than average operating statistics this month (May).
He said the company was working with its customers and Hunter Valley Coal Chain partners to maximise coal delivery onto vessels.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) said operations on the Hunter Valley Network remained open for all services.
Full operations to the North Coast were restored late last week.
"ARTC will be actively monitoring track condition between trains, temporary speed restrictions are in place along the alignment and will remain until track health stabilises," it said in a statement.
The International Energy Agency has predicted demand for Australian coal from South East Asia will remain high for the next few years.
Half of the coal exported through the port in recent years went to Japan, while about 30 per cent went to China.
Other markets, including South Korea and Taiwan, remained stable.
The ongoing demand for Australian coal is occurring at the same time as countries including Japan and South Korea are actively engaged with the Port of Newcastle on the development of its clean energy precinct.
Coal continues to represent the Hunter's largest and Australia's second-largest commodity export earner after iron ore, accounting for an expected $75 billion of exports this financial year.
Last month's rainfall caused coal exports through the Port of Newcastle to plummet to near record low levels.
Export commodity data shows only 8.94 million tonnes of coal left the port during the month due to sustained difficulties with ship loading.
The figure compares with the 11.4 million tonnes, which were exported in April.
Just under 54 million tonnes have been exported for the year to date.
Last month's restricted operations have led to a queue of coal ships, which stretched as far south as Budgewoi on Wednesday.
A spokesman for Port Waratah Coal Services, which loaded 5.1 million tonnes for the month, said multiple ocean swell events and a large amount of fresh water entering the harbour significantly affected its operations and limited vessel movements.
"There are a number of considerations we employ to operate safely with higher levels of fresh water in the harbour," he said.
"We continue to make every effort to manage weather impacts, harbour conditions, stormwater onsite, and keep everyone safe.
"We have experienced this type of inclement weather in recent years. However, the prolonged duration of wet weather in May and other conditions, including network closures, have resulted in lower than average operating statistics this month (May).
He said the company was working with its customers and Hunter Valley Coal Chain partners to maximise coal delivery onto vessels.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) said operations on the Hunter Valley Network remained open for all services.
Full operations to the North Coast were restored late last week.
"ARTC will be actively monitoring track condition between trains, temporary speed restrictions are in place along the alignment and will remain until track health stabilises," it said in a statement.
The International Energy Agency has predicted demand for Australian coal from South East Asia will remain high for the next few years.
Half of the coal exported through the port in recent years went to Japan, while about 30 per cent went to China.
Other markets, including South Korea and Taiwan, remained stable.
The ongoing demand for Australian coal is occurring at the same time as countries including Japan and South Korea are actively engaged with the Port of Newcastle on the development of its clean energy precinct.
Coal continues to represent the Hunter's largest and Australia's second-largest commodity export earner after iron ore, accounting for an expected $75 billion of exports this financial year.
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