Bloomberg reported that Port Kembla Coal Terminal, operated by companies including BHP Billiton Ltd and Xstrata Plc, said it received union notification of a strike starting tomorrow that may increase ships waiting at the Australian harbor.

The walk-out will start at 7 AM Sydney time and continue to February 8th.

Mr Peter Green GM of the terminal said that the company will continue to seek talks with the Construction, Forestry, Mining, and Energy Union, known as the CFMEU, to resolve the matter.

He said “The company has offered its employees a generous remuneration offer that is above the industry standards. “

Mr Green added that “Port Kembla is extremely disappointed that the CFMEU has elected to take this unnecessary industrial action.”

The strike will result in an increase in the number of ships waiting to load cargoes at the harbor.

Port Kembla is about 72 kilometers south of Sydney and is the conduit for coal transported from mines in the south and west of New South Wales state.

Meanwhile, coal miners at Illawarra Coal's West Cliff mine have called off their strike action due to start today.

(Sourced from Bloomberg)