Asciano has announced that it had entered a long term contract with BHP Mitsui Coal Pty Ltd for the annual movement of up to 4.2 million tonnes of coal in Queensland commencing on 1st January 2013.
The coal will be hauled via the northern missing link (GAPE Project) which will connect the Newlands and Goonyella coal systems when the project is complete in early 2012.
Asciano managing director and chief executive officer John Mullen said:
“We are extremely pleased to welcome BHP Mitsui Coal as a valued customer of our Pacific National coal haulage business in Queensland.
“Asciano is offering an innovative and flexible rail haulage approach. A key objective was to maximise the opportunity for tonnage through the newly expanded point of Abbot Point.
“The result is an innovative operational solution and contract that drives the efficient behaviour of both rail and coal operator.
“Winning this contract with such a major coal producer is a coup for our growth aspirations into the key expansion Port of Abbot Point, and the two diesel-powered trains to support the BHP Billiton task will be maintained at our recently announced Nebo heavy maintenance facility.”
