High seas put coal terminal out of action

News was prepared under the information support of Online Daily Newspaper on Hellenic and international Shipping "Hellenic Shipping News".

29 Dec 2007

Strong winds and high seas have forced operators of Queensland's largest coal terminal at Dalrymple Bay, south of Mackay, to suspend operations. No ships have been able to dock since yesterday, with more than 40 ships now anchored off the Mackay coast. Dalrymple Bay coal terminal spokeswoman Cathy Kelly says the order for ships to stay at sea has been done as a precautionary measure. "These are ships that go on oceans around the world, so they're suited to this weather they can handle this weather," she said. "It's when they come alongside that high seas can cause them to be buffeted up against the wharf and damage either themselves or the wharf, so it's best that they wait at anchor until the seas calm down a little."