Regional Coal: BHP, other coal firms win right to expand Newcastle Port

BHP Billiton, Centennial Coal Co. and other coal producers won the right to build a new $380 million loader at the world's largest coal-export port as the miners expand to meet soaring demand and prices, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

The new berth at Newcastle in southeastern Australia will be ready to load its first ship in 2009, the group said. The miners beat a bid by Port Waratah Coal Services Ltd., which operates the existing coal loaders at the port.

``The objective is to increase the export capability of the port by at least 30 million tons per year in the shortest possible time,'' according to a statement from the group sent to the Australian Stock Exchange by Sydney-based Centennial Coal.

Surging coal demand led by China has caused congestion at ports in Australia, the world's biggest coal exporter. Producers have blamed port operators and Prime Minister John Howard has ordered an inquiry to solve port and rail delays.

Other miners in the Newcastle loader group include Excel Coal Ltd., Donaldson Coal, AMCI Inc., Whitehaven Coal and Felix Resources Ltd.(*)