The state-owned corporation said the total haulage was an 8% increase on the previous year.

QR chief executive Bob Scheuber said the result was largely driven by the continuing strong demand from the export market for Queensland coal.

"We expect to further expand our coal tonnages here in Queensland,” he said. “This will, of course, be boosted by our coal haulage operations in the Hunter Valley, which have recently commenced.

"In bulk freight, the drought affected our results somewhat, but this was offset by additional minerals transport. This year was the first full year of operation for new minerals contracts with Birla Copper Concentrate and Taragoola Limestone," he said.

Scheuber said the industry preference for rail transport over road had boosted haulage results in the containerised freight business.