September 07, 2008

Newcastle asks vessels to improve loading to reduce port congestion

It is reported that several ship owners have agreed to modify the coal loading performance of their vessels to avoid the prospect of being turned away from the port of Newcastle.

Port Waratah Coal Services had identified 50 ships, which were not meeting the coal loading capability of its two terminals, but 60% of those vessels have since improved their performance.

Mr Graham Davidson GM of PWCS said that it is part of the strategy to reduce the ship queue off Newcastle. He said “Ship loading is just one part of what we do, it also involves receiving coal from the rail line and the train providers.”

He added that "I think Port Waratah's performing very well. We are balancing our stock levels to what is incoming and I'm very pleased with the performance both on an operational basis and a safety basis."