Gladstone Port production halved.Kieran Moran | 29th December...

Gladstone Port production halved.

Kieran Moran | 29th December 2010

FLOODING has cut Gladstone's coal exports in half.
In a statement, the Gladstone Ports Corporation said flooding throughout the Central Queensland region has affected operations at the RG Tanna Coal Terminal in Gladstone.

Gladstone Ports Corporation acting CEO Craig Walker said the RG Tanna Coal Terminal is expected to operate at 50% capacity this week.

"The rail system is closed in various locations with flood and sub grade track damage," Mr Walker said.

"At present we have no trains delivering coal from the Blackwater and Moura rail systems."

"All mines in the region are closed to the latest rains."

Mr Walker said he expected the situation to remain this way for the next 24 hours.

"Shipping has also been affected with stockpiles extremely wet and consequently very difficult to load," Mr Walker explained.

"The moisture content of the coal is too high for it be loaded. Therefore, we are expecting this week to have less than 50% throughput of coal."

"The flooding in the region has also affected our services with pilots and staff being unable to attend work."

Mr Walker added that the Port of Bundaberg also has restrictions in place due to the speed of the Burnett River current and major flood conditions in the area.

There are estimated to be 45 coal-carrying vessels waiting offshore from the Dalrymple Bay coal terminal near Mackay, and QR National's Blackwater and Moura coal freight lines are also closed, cutting shipments from the Port of Gladstone.

http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/story/2010/12/29/gladstone-port-production-halved/