Spread over 450km and growing, the Hunter Valley Coal Chain complexity is driven by the need to export very large coal volumes from a very concentrated network.

Complexity is further compounded by the fact that there is no more than two weeks visibility on how many vessels are arriving and from which mines the coal needs to be transported.

Below are some facts on the size and complexity of the coal chain operations:

• 35 Coal Mines
• 14 Producers
• 27 Load Points
• Around 80 Different Brands of Coal

• 3 Above Rail Operators
• Approx. 29 Trains (15,000 trips per year)
• 2 Track Owner/Operators
• Haulage distances up to 450km

• 3 Coal Loading Terminals – PWCS (CCT & KCT), NCIG
• 6 Dump Stations
• 7 Ship Berths

• Approx. 1000 vessels per year
• Average vessel size is 84kt
• Multiple cargoes and coal types
• Tidal constrained river port
• 9 Vessel Agents

• Approx. 34 End Buyers
• 12 Countries
• Around 85% exports to Japan, Korea & Taiwan

• Turn of Arrival loading port (14 day rule)
• Combination of JIT cargo assembly process and dedicated stockpiles
• 16 independent organisations required to move each tonne of coal
• Only two weeks visibility and highly variable volumes
• Average 5 day cargo assembly build time