Australia's coal system faces scheduled maintenance closure

Australian rail company Aurizon has announced scheduled maintenance closures for its coal systems in Queensland. The blackwater coal system, boasting a capacity of 50 million tonnes per annum (mnt/ annum), will undergo maintenance from 13 to 17 April 2024.

Further closures are planned for May, including the Goonyella system (60 Mtpa) from 1 to 3 May 2024, the Moura system (15 mnt/annum) from 14 to 16 May, and blackwater again from 27 to 29 May. These closures form part of the annual planned maintenance programme.

The Central Queensland Coal Network (CQCN), operated by Aurizon, will be affected by these closures, except for the Newlands system (15 mnt/annum).

The blackwater and moura systems transport coal from the southern end of the Bowen Basin to the port of Gladstone. Meanwhile, the Goonyella system delivered coal to the ports of Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and Hay Point from the central Bowen Basin. The Newlands system, on the other hand, ships coal to Abbot Point from the northern Bowen Basin.

The CQCN stands as Australia's largest rail supply chain for coal exports, serving as a vital component of Queensland's coal sector. Aurizon, alongside Pacific National, BHP, and smaller coal haulage operators, utilises the CQCN for coal transportation, emphasising its significance in the region's coal industry.