Port of Newcastle should remain the world leader

Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi has welcomed yesterday's commitment by the coal industry to find a long term solution to coal supply chain issues in the Hunter Valley. Mr Tripodi was joining Minister for the Hunter Jodi Mckay in congratulating the Port of Newcastle on reclaiming the world record for coal exports.

Mr Tripodi noted that while yesterdays meeting of 14 mining companies in Sydney didn't come up with any immediate answers, he was encouraged by reports the companies were working on a solution that would accommodate new entrants in the industry.

The Government has given approval to plans that will double the capacity of the port to more than 200 million tonnes per annum,' Mr Tripodi said. 'The approved plans included a major expansion of the existing Kooragang Island Terminal which will provide a total capacity for Port Waratah Coal Services of 145 million tonnes, and a new $1 billion coal terminal with a capacity of 66 million tonnes to be constructed on Kooragang Island by Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group. The lease for the new terminal was signed in January and the first coal is expected to be exported in 2010.'

'The Port of Newcastle reclaimed the word record with exports of 88.88 million tonnes of coal in 2007/08. This compared to 80.46 million tonnes exported by the Dalrymple Bay/Hay Point terminals and 54.08 million tonnes from Gladstone in Queensland,' Mr Tripodi said.

'The Newcastle tonnage was an increase of 7.71 million tonnes on 2006-07 and was valued at $7.7 billion dollars which is a tremendous achievement. The increase in demand for coal is exceeding the capacity of the Hunter Valley Coal Chain but we are still the biggest coal operation in the world. But if we want to stay on top, the industry has to develop a long term solution that will allow future growth and access for new coal producers.'

Minister for the Hunter and Newcastle MP Jodi McKay said the record coal exports helped to generate jobs and investment across the region.

'Coal continues to be Newcastle's main export and expansion plans will ensure Newcastle remains one of the leading coal export ports in the world,' Ms McKay said.

Total trade throughput for the Port of Newcastle in 2007-08 was 93,314,911 tonnes compared to 85,603,541 in 2006-07

by NSW Government Media