The Queensland Government remains optimistic about the plan to expand the Abbot Point coal port terminal, despite very few interested private companies remaining.

Miners GVK Hancock and Adani say they are still on board to build terminals at the expanded port, but that appears unlikely given that several major construction contractors have pulled out.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney says his confidence for the future of the north Queensland port is still intact.

Some big names have quit the tender process for the multi-million dollar build, with mining company Anglo American pulling out last week, and the joint bid from Lend Lease and Aurizon scuppered too.

The State Government says it realises that current coal market conditions have forced companies to spend more carefully.

Some have said that the companies will be made wary by the braod opposition to the project, which has been slammed for its potential to put the health of the nearby Great Barrier Reef at risk.

Mr Seeney did say he was confident Queensland’s coal industry will be there for the long term, but said it was important that it has the infrastructure to match.