Port Of Newcastle Ship Queuing System Authorized To June 30
May 12 2009 - 11:43PM
Dow Jones News
Australia's competition regulator has allowed a coal shipment
queuing system at the Port of Newcastle to remain in operation
until June 30, by when a more competitive system is scheduled to
commence.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission granted the
approval to Port Waratah Coal Services and Newcastle Coal
Infrastructure Group, having previously granted them interim
approval from December.
The approval provides immunity from court action for conduct
that might otherwise raise competition concerns under federal law,
the ACCC said.
ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuel commended recent industry and New
South Wales state government efforts "to be now close to
implementing a long term solution" to queuing system issues.
"There is, however, a lot of work for the industry to complete
in order to implement the long term solution by its target date of
30 June, 2009," Samuel said in a statement.
By Ross Kelly, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-8235-2957;
ross.kelly@dowjones.com