Coal-loading operations at Gladstone port are expected to restart over the weekend when the port in the Australian state of Queensland is due to receive its first shipment for export on a fully operational Moura rail system, the Gladstone port authority said in a statement on Friday.
Gladstone's coal-loading operations were suspended mid-week, when the port's stockpile of coal for loading onto ships dwindled to low levels of under 500,000 mt compared with more than 2 million mt typically. Eight vessels were being held off the port, waiting to pick up coal on Friday.
Fresh deliveries of coal for export are expected to arrive at Gladstone port by train from Anglo American's 51%-owned Dawson thermal coal mine after its rail link to Gladstone port was restored on Friday.
The Dawson mine produces a mix of export thermal, semi-soft and coking coal and production levels were around 7 million mt/year, according to Anglo American's web site.
"This will enable the port to recommence ship-loading on Saturday," Gladstone Ports Corp. Chief Executive Leo Zussino said in the statement.
Two ships were loaded with coal at Gladstone port on January 10 and one on January 11 before stocks dropped to minimal levels.
Sections of the larger capacity Blackwater rail system, which is also used to deliver coal to Gladstone port, are gradually being repaired. Operator QR National said on Thursday that coal train services would restart in stages on the Blackwater network on January 20.
The Blackwater rail network transports coal from 14 coal mines to Gladstone port and was shut on December 27 because of flooding.
Meanwhile, Brisbane port remains closed. "Subject to results from our hydrographic surveys, river conditions, and navigational hazards the earliest possible movements of priority shipping in the port would be January 16," according to an update from the port authority.