More coal moving though Newcastle port

The New South Wales Hunter Valley Coal Chain Logistics Team says there has been an increase in the amount of coal moving through the port of Newcastle in the first half of the year, despite the recent storms.

In the six months to June, the coal chain moved more than 40 million tonnes of coal - that is a 3 per cent increase on the same time last year.

The logistics team was on track to set a record increase of about 10 per cent before the last month's storms hit, which affected rail and ship movements.

The storms have also led to an increase in the number of coal ships waiting off Newcastle's coast - there are nearly 70 ships currently waiting, but the logistics team is hoping to have the number down to the low 20s by August or September.

It had previously expected to reach that target this month.