About Us

Port Waratah Coal Services Limited (PWCS), located in the Port of Newcastle, NSW, Australia, operates the world's largest and most efficient coal handling operations.

PWCS operates two coal terminals, Carrington and Kooragang which are located in the Port of Newcastle. Carrington Coal Terminal has a shiploading capacity of 25 million tonnes per annum ('Mtpa') and Kooragang Coal Terminal has a shiploading capacity of 88 Mtpa. These terminals receive, assemble and load Hunter Valley coal for export to customers around the world.

PWCS is a continuous, 24 hour a day operation utilising:

• computerised management systems to monitor and organise coal movement from mine to port;
• automated process control systems;
• advanced quality control techniques; and
• modern environmental controls.

Drawing from over 30 mines which provide a diversity of coal types and using sophisticated blending and quality control techniques, PWCS is a world leader in coal handling.

Demand for coal through the Port of Newcastle has grown by more than 32% over the past decade. PWCS embarked on an expansion program commencing in 1994. The latest expansion increased the shiploading capacity at PWCS to 113 Mtpa with the completion of the 4th reclaim stream. Planning for additional expansion beyond 113 Mtpa is also in progress and preparatory work has commenced. This continuing investment, together with the commitment of PWCS employees, will contribute to the constant improvement in PWCS' performance, meeting customer needs now and into the future.  

All planning and scheduling of coal exports from the Hunter Valley through PWCS is facilitated by the Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator ('HVCCC'). HVCCC's express objective is to plan and coordinate the cooperative operation and alignment of the coal chain in order to maximise the volume of coal transported through the coal chain, at minimum total logistics cost in accordance with the agreed collective needs and contractual obligations of Producers and Service Providers.

IN ORDER TO MANAGE ITS OHS AND ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATIONS, PWCS SITES ARE CLOSED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC EXCEPT BY INVITATION OR ARRANGEMENT.

safety

PWCS is committed to providing a safe work place with a Zero safety incident program for all employees, contractors and visitors.

Coal Receival

Rail transport carries over 99% of all Hunter Valley coal delivered to PWCS terminals.  Trains enter PWCS on balloon loops and coal is emptied from bottom-dumping wagons. The coal is then transported on a series of conveyors to the stockpile areas.

Coal Stacking

Stacking machines discharge the coal onto stockpile locations in vessel cargo lots. Combined working stockpile capacity is over two and a half million tonnes.

Reclaiming/Shiploading

Coal is reclaimed from the stockpiles by bucket wheel reclaimers and is carried on a dedicated system of conveyors to the shiploaders. PWCS can load five ships at its berths at any one time.