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Asciano Group chief executive Mark Rowsthorn has announced that the deadline for lodging bids for its port and rail assets had been extended to the end of this week, the Australian Financial Review reported.

The timing of Easter had been expected to interfere with the deadline for the offers, with private equity players like Carlyle Group and TPG Capital requiring approval from their United States head offices for any offers.

Last month, Asciano increased efforts to sell its coal-haulage business, Pacific National, including its container ports business and offers for the entire company.

TPG, leading a consortium that includes GIC, Goldman Sachs Global Infrastructure and Global Infrastructure Partners, is believed to be considering a full takeover and Carlyle has joined up with Kaplan Funds Management for a potential partial investment.

Also believed to be interested in Asciano's coal haulage business, are China's Shenhua Energy and Morgan Stanley.