Baltimore terminal operators plan coal diversion via railway

Transnet has begun increasing coal rail volumes to Richards Bay, with fewer security incidents, amid a decline in SA coal exports due to unreliable rail services.

GB Railfreight delivered the final 1,650-tonne coal shipment to Uniper’s Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station, set to close on 30 September.

This week, CSX is restarting coal exports in Baltimore after deep channel repairs, preparing for the first major vessel at Curtis Bay terminal.

About two million tonnes of dry bulk cargo (mostly coal), will be affected each month if the current situation does not improve, according to Drewry.

Coal cargoes may release toxic gases, including carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are harmful to human health.

Hunter Harrison is the new CEO of CSX Corporation, subject to shareholders agreeing to pay the US$84M cost of his departure from CP.