Coal Train Editorial Image

The Hunter Valley Coal Chain HVCC is the chain of coal delivery in New South Wales, Australia from mainly open-cut coal mines in the Hunter Region to the Port of Newcastle and domestic coal-fired power stations in the Hunter Valley. The HVCC essentially follows the path of the Hunter River travelling south-east from the mining areas in the Hunter Valley to Newcastle. The HVCC mainly deals in the sea-borne export coal trade, especially to Asia Japan and Korea in particular. It is one of six major coal chains in Australia: four in Queensland: Abbot Point, Dalrymple Bay/Hay Point, Gladstone and Brisbane; and two in New South Wales: the Ports of Newcastle also known as Port Waratah and Port Kembla. The port of Newcastle is the world’s largest coal export port. Rising demand for coal, particularly in the Asian region has resulted in a strong increase in the volume of coal exported through the port. In 2013 port throughput was 150.5 million tonnes, up from 68 million tonnes in 2000.[