Coal shipments through Port Waratah Coal Services’ two terminals at Australia’s Newcastle port in April fell 32% month on month and 31% year on year to 6.3 million mt, according to a report released Monday, May 4, by the Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator.
A significant decline in throughput had been expected as a severe storm front lashed the eastern Australian state of New South Wales, closing Newcastle Port to all shipping for three days between April 21 and April 24.
Coal shipments to the PWCS terminals and the producer-owned and operated Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group were suspended with the closure of the Hunter Valley coal rail network from April 21 to April 30.
Limited railings have resumed on the coal rail network, but it is expected to be some weeks before it returns to full operation
