NEWCASTLE Port, the world's largest coal export terminal, said it had eased shipping restrictions on Thursday as sea conditions had improved after a storm.
Two vessels departed the port early this morning, while two other coal ships were due to arrive into the port later in the day, a spokesman said.
The port, which halted shipping late on Tuesday, said it would continue to monitor weather and tide conditions to decide if it can resume normal operations.
The weather bureau continued to warn of the risk of heavy rainfall in the region on Thursday, saying heavier rain offshore was expected to move back to the coast during the day.
About 80% of the coal shipped through the port is thermal coal used mainly by power stations.
Companies shipping through Newcastle include Xstrata, Coal & Allied Industries, majority-owned by Rio Tinto and Centennial Coal.
BHP Billition could not immediately comment if its coal mining operations in the Hunter Valley had been affected, while Rio and Xstrata could not be reached for comment.
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