The Blackwater coal system in Australia's Queensland state is expected to reopen Friday at 2 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (0400 GMT) following its closure earlier in the week due to the effects of Tropical Cyclone Debbie, operator Aurizon said Friday.
All four of Aurizon's Central Queensland Coal Network systems -- Newlands, Goonyella, Blackwater and Moura -- were closed during the week. The company on Wednesday declared force majeure on Goonyella, Newlands and Moura. "The Blackwater corridor will reopen to services with some restrictions including a maximum speed of 60 km/h and some single line sections where double tracks normally operate," Aurizon said Friday. "Aurizon is working closely with customers and supply chain partners on the detailed logistics planning required for a safe and coordinated return to services, and to maximize railings for coal customers, both for export and domestic power stations," it said.
An update on the state of the other three rail systems will be provided later Friday, Aurizon said.
The Blackwater system links central Queensland mines from the Bowen Basin to Gladstone port.
The Port of Gladstone briefly suspended operations on Thursday but was open once again on Friday, Maritime Safety Queensland confirmed to S&P Global Platts Friday.
The Moura system, which remains shut, also connects mines to Gladstone, while Goonyella links mines to the Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay coal terminals, and Newlands connects mines to the Abbot Point Coal Terminal.
The Hay Point, Dalrymple Bay and Abbot Point coal terminals were all closed during the week.
The North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation announced on Thursday that the Port of Abbot Point has been cleared for shipping and that it will be up to operator Adani to make a decision when the coal terminal itself can resume operations.
Adani was not available for immediate contact.
There has been no change to the status of Hay Point port, which remains closed, a NQBP spokeswoman told Platts Friday. It is home to both the Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay coal terminals.
New Hope's Queensland Bulk Handling coal terminal at Brisbane port was also closed on Thursday.
