The key Goonyella coal rail system in Australia's Queensland state is now expected to 

reopen April 26, about one and a half weeks earlier than previously advised, operator 

Aurizon said Tuesday. 

The  rail  system, which  carries  Australian premium coking coal and PCI material from 

the world's largest metallurgical coal supply basin to port, was shut in early April due to 

severe weather in the wake of Cyclone Debbie. 

It  was previously expected to reopen  five weeks from April 3 -- around  May 8 -- but is 

now scheduled to recommence next week with speed restrictions and reduced capacity, 

Aurizon said. 

The system  connects  to the  key  coal exporting terminals of Hay Point and Dalrymple 

Bay. 

All  four  of  Aurizon's Central Queensland Coal Network systems closed in the wake of 

the cyclone. Goonyella is the only one yet to reopen. 

The Blackwater coal system, which connects to the Port of Gladstone, reopened to coal 

traffic  April  10, the  Moura  system, also  to  the Port of Gladstone, on April 12 and the 

Newlands system into the Abbot Point Coal Terminal on April 13. 

Several  market  participants  said  the Goonyella reopening was groundbreaking news 

that could have an impact on market psychology and spot prices. 

"This is very good news," one steelmaker said Tuesday. "People will start viewing things 

differently." The  second  wave  of  re-stocking  that  was  previously  forecast might not 

happen, the source added. 

An Indian steelmaker agreed, saying: "I had imagined some panic buying would start end 

April because there would be a shortage of cargoes. With this news, panic will be reduce

d." 

"Psychologically, this is good news. It may relieve some burden on steelmakers to secure 

replacement coal," a Northeast Asian steelmaker said.