Australian coal taking nearly twice as long to get through China

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says the government is seeking an explanation from China after coal export unloading times almost doubled to 40 days.

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says Australia is seeking an explanation from China regarding the coal export delays while confirming there was no ban. Picture: AAP

Coal is still getting through Chinese ports but there are ongoing discussions about “temporary blowouts in processing times,” Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says.

The Trade Minister is still in discussion with Chinese officials about pushing through Australian coal exports after they were apparently banned in five ports, but today he welcomed statements from China saying there was no ban.

When asked if there was no ban, but coal is taking twice as long to get through to China, Senator Birmingham said “that is correct.”

.@David_Speers: It is taking nearly twice as long to get coal through China? But it is getting through?@Birmo: That is right.

MORE: https://t.co/c8rZSn8Q5h #SpeersonSunday pic.twitter.com/1pd6AluWMz

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) February 23, 2019

“In some cases we’re still to see some of that processed. This is a situation that is analogous to a similar one that occurred late last year where we did see a temporary blowout in processing times,” he told Sky News this morning.

“We saw much of that coal moved through. All of this played out in the final quarter of last year and yet at the end of that quarter, when we reconciled all of the figures, exports to China were at record levels both by volume and by value.

“This isn’t just important for Australian businesses, it’s important for the Chinese businesses which rely on this product ... we will now work privately and cooperatively with Chinese officials around timeliness to provide as much certainty to businesses in both Australia and China as we possibly can.”

Scott Morrison and other government ministers have stressed in the past couple of days that they do not see the delays in coal exports as a sign of “retribution” from China for banning Huawei from the nation’s 5G network.

Senator Birmingham said Australia has had “good relations” with China and he will continue to work with officials.

“Of course China has their system of government and we work as best we can with that system – we don’t always agree on everything,” he told Sky News.

.@Birmo: We have had good relations with China in recent times.

Of course China has their system of government and we work as best we can with that system – we do not always agree.

MORE: https://t.co/c8rZSn8Q5h #SpeersonSunday pic.twitter.com/zGecihvKMz

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) February 23, 2019

“But we have I think very clear and firm relations around we can constructively and cooperatively deal with each other.”