Newcastle world's largest coal exporter, figures show
20 Jan 2009 12:44 PM
SYDNEY, Jan 20 AAP - Newcastle has out-traded Queensland's Hay Point to become the world's largest exporter of coal, the NSW government says.
Despite claims NSW is already in recession, the Hunter region sea port has enjoyed record trade figures across a number of commodities in the first half of the current financial year.
The strong growth has been led by a jump in the amount of coal exports, Ports and Waterways Minister Joe Tripodi said on Tuesday.
"A total of 49,557,567 tonnes of trade was registered by the port for July-December 2008 which was three million tonnes more than for the corresponding period the previous year," he said in a statement.
"Coal exports were the major factor with 47.05 million tonnes being exported, including a record monthly total of 8.55 million tonnes in December."
Mr Tripodi said the record trade figures were due to ongoing steady demand for thermal coal, which was expected to continue.
"Eighty per cent of coal exported from Newcastle is thermal coal, while Hay Point mostly exports coking coal," he said.
"Demand for thermal coal, which is used for electricity generation, is holding up much better than coking coal so Newcastle's domination over Queensland's terminals is set to continue."
Grain exports have also tripled over the corresponding 2007 period, a jump Newcastle Port Corporation boss Gary Webb attributes to the end of a lengthy layoff caused by the drought.
More than 66,000 tonnes of grain was exported in the last six months of 2008, compared with just over 23,000 tonnes in the last six months of 2007.
"About 27,000 tonnes of wheat was exported from Newcastle aboard the Energy Star in early December," Mr Webb said.
"That shipment will be followed by more than 250,000 tonnes which is booked to leave the port on nine bulk carriers by early March."
Steel and iron exports from the port also nearly tripled, to 227,000 tonnes from 76,000 tonnes.
Other commodities contributing to the trade results included a hike in fertiliser exports to 145,306 tonnes (up from 35,540 tonnes), woodchips to 149,423 (up from 20,698 tonnes) and ammonium nitrate to 61,302 tonnes (up from 19,729 tonnes).
