Queensland coal shipments break record

Queensland exported more coal than ever before in 2016, riding the wave of higher commodity prices.

The state exported 221 million tonnes of coal during the year, according to the Queensland Resources Council, beating last year's record by one million tonnes, while shipments of the state's other main resources export, LNG, more than tripled to 17.5 million tonnes.

"This has been an enormous boost to the Queensland economy, providing vital export income, royalties and jobs for Queenslanders," QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said in a statement.