The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said Tuesday it revoked interim authorization that was granted in July to phase in a new system for ships entering and exiting the Port of Newcastle because one party in the negotiations has failed to agree to a new long-term plan.

A person familiar with the matter said BHP Ltd. (BHP.AU) was the company that didn't agree to the new framework for how ships are brought into the Port of Newcastle to load coal. Currently, there are issues with ship backlogs in the port which complicate the export of coal from that part of Australia.

A BHP representative wasn't immediately available for comment.

Aug. 31 was the date by which all the parties involved were to establish a detailed framework for a long-term solution to replace the current system at the Port of Newcastle.

One party failed to agree, according to the ACCC, which also said there have been "numerous" delays in the process and an "apparent inability for all parties to reach an agreement."

The parties are allowed to continue negotiating outstanding issues and are free to seek interim authorization again, the agency said.

"It is disappointing one producer is holding out on a final solution that all other coal producers have accepted as necessary for the future of the Hunter coal industry," said Joe Tripodi, the minister for ports and waterways in New South Wales. "While we await an answer from the last producer, we will discuss with (Port Waratah Coal Service) tomorrow regarding the need to introduce short-term measures to help manage coal exports following the withdrawal of the ACCC's authorization."

-By Cynthia Koons, Dow Jones Newswires; 61-2-8272-4691; cynthia.koons@dowjones.com