Newcastle set for transition from coal to containers

The new chairman of the Port of Newcastle has said the port needs to diversify away from its current reliance on coal transport.

Professor Roy Green said the Australian port, which is the world’s biggest coal port, should diversify into cruise services, non-coal freight and containers.

“Coal has been at the heart of the Hunter [region’s]  economy for the better part of two centuries, and it will continue to be central to the prosperity of the region and Port of Newcastle for some time to come,” he said, “however, there is also an urgent need to diversify the Hunter economy and the Port’s business.”