According to a Dow Jones report, 32 vessels are now waiting off Newcastle, down from as many as 50 ships at the start of the month.

The decrease has been attributed to a capacity distribution system, where Port Waratah Coal Services (PWCS) has implemented a short term pro rata reduction in the amount of coal that will be the subject of applications from coal exporters for coal handling services from PWCS.

This system was designed to temporarily slow the rate at which exporters and their customers arrange new ship arrivals at the Port of Newcastle and hence reducing the vessel queue without reducing the amount of coal exported.

PWCS chairwoman Eileen Doyle told Dow Jones she hoped by the end of June the waiting list would be down to 10 to 15 vessels.

She said while queues had been cut, export volume had been maintained.