The Port of Gladstone is one of the world's top five coal export ports, handling in excess of 38 million tonnes of coal per annum. Coal is the port's largest trade, representing over 70% of the total cargo exported through the port. Both terminals in Gladstone are undergoing expansions: RG Tanna Coal Terminal (RGTCT) to 68 mtpa and the Barney Point Coal Terminal (BPCT) to 7 mtpa.

The Blackwater System is located in Central Queensland and services Stanwell Power Station, Gladstone Power Station, Fisherman’s Landing and the Port of Gladstone’s two terminals: the RGTCT and BPCT. 

The Moura System services the industrial and rural communities of the Dawson and Callide Valleys in Central Queensland. The system’s coal is transported to Gladstone Power Station, Comalco Aluminium Refinery, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) and the Port of Gladstone. 

QR Network Access expects the haulage task to progressively increase in the Blackwater System as QR’s haulage contracts, combined with enquiries from coal companies for additional haulage capacity (domestic and export), exceeds 80 mpta by 2008–09. In the Moura System, QR has contracts and requests for contract volumes of 17 mtpa in 2008–09.