This was a 5.3% increase in port trade, which comprises more than 25 cargoes, on the previous year. Coal exports comprised 159 million tonnes, reflecting increasing global demand for the region’s premium thermal and coking coal. Non coal trade (imports and exports) comprised almost 5.3 million tonnes in 2014. Coal continues to be the port’s largest commodity, comprising 97% of trade throughput.
Coal exports increased by 6% in 2014, from 2013 coal exports of 150.5 million tonnes.
A new monthly coal export record of 15.8 million tonnes was achieved in December 2014, exceeding the previous record of 15.1 million tonnes set in December 2013. Continuing cooperation between all members of the Hunter Valley Coal Chain, coupled with
investment in port and rail infrastructure, will provide continued growth opportunities for the port’s coal export trade.
Growth was recorded in the following non coal trades: fuels (80.3%); fertiliser (25.7%); and alumina (1.3%). There was a significant decline in grain exports due to the drought.