(EnergyAsia, February 1 2012, Wednesday) — Australia’s Hunter Ports has begun work on building a state-of-the-art terminal that could double the capacity of the world’s biggest coal export port in Newcastle by 2015.

Controlled by mining entrepreneur Nathan Tinkler, Hunter Ports said it will A$2.5 billion in the new facility on the south bank of the Hunter River previously occupied by BHP Steel, said managing director Steve van Barneveld. (US$1=A$0.96).

The project will boost the local economy by creating up to 800 jobs during construction, 1,600 jobs on and off site once the terminal becomes fully operational and thousands of new jobs for Newcastle and the Hunter region.

When completed in 2015, the terminal will have the capacity to export 211 million tons of coal, nearly double the 108 million metric tons shipped during the year to end-June 2011.

Coking and thermal coal developer Aston Resources Ltd, which Mr Tinkler controls, is planning to export its coal through Newcastle.