June 15, 2010 Asciano has secured a $775 million long term contract with Anglo American Metallurgical Coal for the movement of 16.5 million tonnes per annum of coal in Queensland.
Commencing January 2010, the new contract will see Pacific National take over the haulage of 10.5 million tonnes of coal per annum from Anglo American’s German Creek facility, which is currently serviced by Queensland Rail.
The new contract also encompasses the existing 5.75 million tonnes, which will continue to be hauled by Pacific national from the miner’s Moranbah North mine.
Asciano Chief Executive Mark Rowsthorn says Anglo American Coal has been extremely pleased with Pacific National’s performance at the Mornabah North mine, since mid 2009.
“Anglo American Coal was looking for a flexible rail haulage approach to its portfolio of mines in the Goonyella system,” he says.
“The result is a performance based contract that not only matches the cargo assembly mode of the coal chain, but also gives Anglo American the ability to mix and match its mine and port haulage requirements.”
“Winning this contract reflects the fact that we continue to exceed our customers’ expectations despite the many difficulties we have faced,” Rowsthorn says.
“The successful ramp up of our operations is testament to our Queensland workforce management team.”
Asciano anticipates that it will have hauled 14 million tonnes of coal in Queensland when it completes its first year of operations on June 30 2010.
“Our success to date reinforces our ability to deliver our Queensland coal strategy in the medium term,” Rowsthorn says.
Asicano will procure four new train sets to manage the additional volumes for Anglo American Coal which is now Asciano’s largest contracted customer in Queensland.