Pacific National reached 5.34 million net tonne kilometres (one tonne moved one kilometre) of haulage in the recent quarter, far above the 4.21 million net tonne kilometres hauled in the corresponding period last year, when the coal industry was on the path to recovery from the global financial crisis.

Despite the growth, Asciano said these results were slightly below management expectations.

Part of this was due to the unseasonal heavy rainfall in Queensland during past months.

Asciano also said the potential to make up the shortfall in expected volumes was dependent on the performance of the coal chains in Queensland and New South Wales for the rest of this financial year.

Asciano shares are down 3.7% this morning to 157.5c.