Coal export facilities in north Queensland face major disruptions following heavy rains which have been described as “unprecedented” by Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology.
Berthing of vessels at Abbot Point Coal Terminal is currently suspended until further notice, with the terminal is reviewing the weather conditions on a daily basis, according to ship agency GAC.
Dalrymple Bay and Hay Point coal terminals are said to be operating as normal, but are experiencing cargo arrival delays due to the railways not working at full capacity.
“A monsoon trough is extending from the Gulf Country across the base of Cape York Peninsula to the east tropical coast near Lucinda, and is expected to stay almost stationary or drift only slowly to the south over the next day or two,” said GAC.
“A deep tropical low that lies on the monsoon trough over northwest Queensland is slowly moving to the east and will continue to move in an easterly direction during the next few days.”
GAC said to the north of the low a fresh to strong monsoonal flow persists across northern Queensland, which will lead to strong to gale force winds through the Gulf of Carpentaria with a risk of damaging winds across Cape York Peninsula.
“Abnormally high tides are also likely to continue about the eastern Gulf of Carpentaria coast and through Torres Strait,” it added.
GAC said coal trains are understood not to be running at full capacity due to the wet weather and continuing Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) negotiations.
“Aurizon members have placed overtime bans for the next two weeks throughout Queensland in protest to the EBA negotiations. This will affect coal receivals at all coal terminals," it added.
The level of rainfall has eclipsed records set in 1998 during a disaster known as Night of Noah, reported the BBC.
Townsville has received over one metre of rain in the last 10 days. Despite this the local port is operational, however there have been some delays for shipping in this area which should return to normal over the coming days pending further rain.
