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Wild weather continues to rock Queensland coal network

<p>Wild weather is continuing to play havoc with coal terminal operations in central Queensland and has resulted in damage to a ship, washed-out rail lines and staff shortages after roads were cut.</p> <p>Bulk carrier <em>Devprayag</em> broke her mooring lines in strong winds while berthed at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal’s (DBCT) wharf about 4.30 am yesterday (Tuesday, February 12).</p> <p>The 47,349 dwt vessel was awaiting loading when her lines broke.</p> <p>While four tugs worked to tow the vessel off port, the <em>Devprayag </em> clipped the northern mooring dolphin off Hay Point Coal Terminal’s No. 2 wharf before the ship’s crew were able to anchor the vessel between the DBCT and Hay Point Coal Terminal jetties.</p> <p>The incident resulted in an eight- to10-metre gash six metres above the waterline, a spokesman for Queensland Transport said.</p> <p>Shiploading at DBCT was suspended at 1 am yesterday due to the strong winds and rain, and resumed at 6 am today.</p> <p>Another storm cell was brewing off the coast and was expected to hit the coal ports this afternoon, with the possibility of further disruption.</p> <p>QR rail services were severely affected yesterday after heavy overnight rain in north and central Queensland. </p> <p>About 1.20 am yesterday, 12 wagons from a loaded coal train heading to Abbot Point derailed due to a track washout resulting in the Newlands system being cut on the Briaba and Binbee section between Collinsville and Bowen.</p> <p>Assessment crews said the line might not be cleared and the track repaired until Friday due to the difficulty of accessing the site with heavy equipment.</p> <p>Due to the extensive rain, flooding has also caused track damage between Collinsville and Newlands and on the North Coast line, which has stopped traffic from the Goonyella system to Abbot Point. </p> <p>It was unknown when track repairs and the derailment clean-up would be completed. </p> <p>Other QR freight services also remain affected.</p> <p>All containerised freight services scheduled for today to and from north Queensland have been cancelled. </p> <p>Services travelling from Brisbane to Rockhampton are operating as normal, however any services due to go north beyond Rockhampton have been cancelled.</p> <br />