Coal from mines operated by Peabody and Rio Tinto in central Queensland is transported via the Goonyella Coal Chain rail system to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, where it is loaded for export.
Pacific National is a rail operator that transports coal for Rio Tinto, Peabody and other coal producers in the Goonyella Coal Chain.
The Goonyella Coal Chain has been operating below its potential throughput capacity, resulting in lost exports.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission deputy chairman Michael Schaper said the arrangements were likely to result in public benefits through more efficient transportation of coal for export.
“The ACCC considers there are unlikely to be significant detriments, because the arrangements work within existing contractual and regulatory frameworks, and are voluntary for all coal producers and rail operators using the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal,” he said.
The applicants have been coordinating their coal transportation since late March when the ACCC granted interim authorisation to the arrangements, while it considered the substantive application for authorisation.
They have already been able to achieve some savings through greater coordination.
The ACCC has also decided to extend interim authorisation to allow other coal producers and rail operators railing to the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal to participate in the coordination.
This authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the competition provisions of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
