BHP Billiton-Mitsubishi Alliance and Prime Infrastructure Group shut berths at two terminals of the Hay Point port, the world's biggest export harbor for coal, to carry out planned maintenance.

ASX200/SP500 listed firm BHP Billiton said the BHP- Mitsubishi Alliance's Hay Point terminal berth shutdown started yesterday and will last until Aug. 10, BHP Billiton Ltd. spokesperson Fiona Martin said in an e-mailed statement.

On the other hand, Inchcape Shipping Services Pty said on its website, Prime shut Berth 2 at Hay Point port's Dalrymple Bay in Queensland on July 6 and the closure will last until July 28.

Hay Point port has two terminals and the capacity to export 129 million metric tons of coal a year. QR National will shut down the Goonyella rail system servicing the harbor from July 14 to July 18 for scheduled maintenance, it said today. The network is the busiest as it connects 22 mines operated by producers including ASX200/SP500 listed Xstrata Plc and Rio Tinto Group and Peabody Energy Corp.

Hay Point terminal has two berths and a capacity to export 44 million tons of steelmaking coal a year. The BHP Billiton- Mitsubishi Alliance is conducting work on a fender, a cushioning device that absorbs impact. The alliance, known as BMA, is a joint venture between BHP and Tokyo-based Mitsubishi Corp.