Indian Coal Imports Up 6% M-o-M in Sep’17

Indian coal import has continued its rising trend, as domestic coal supply had failed to cater the growing power demand.

According to the data compiled by CoalMint Research, Indian coal import has increased for the second successive month in Oct’17. Total coal imports during the month stood 19.08 MnT in comparison with 18 MnT in Sep’17, thereby recording a growth of 6% M-o-M.

Import volume was also7% high compared with the coal imports of 17.83 MnT in Oct’16. Low coal stock at power plants amid increasing power generation had encouraged power sector to import more coal.

However, despite the recent improvement in imports, total coal quantity of 174.94 MnT imported during the Jan’17-Oct’17 period lagged 8% behind the imports of 190.18 MnT recorded during the same period in 2016.

Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Imports of Non-coking coal increased 6% M-o-M to 12.89 MnT in Oct’17. While Coking coal imports had fell 1% M-o-M to 4.49 MnT.

Prior to the possible ban of pet coke across Delhi NCR and its surrounding states, import of the fuel had rose 20% M-o-M to 1.11 MnT. Met Coke imports had also rose from 0.24 MnT in Sep’17 to 0.51 MnT in Oct’17.

Anthracite coal having lackluster demand across the country dropped 11% M-o-M to 0.12 MnT.

Source: CoalMint Research
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Exporters:
Indonesian coal exports rose to 7.95 MnT in Oct’17 with an increase of 1% M-o-M as trouble at Indian power plant’s coal stock continues. Import volume was also 2% higher on the year compared with 7.79 MnT in Oct’16.

Australian Coal exports increased 2% M-o-M to 3.92 MnT during the month but were 5% lower on the year compared with 4.11 MnT in Oct’16.

South Africa, the third-largest coal exporter, witnessed a decline of 11% M-o-M in coal supplies to India. Exports in Oct’17 stood 2.98 MnT against 3.34 MnT in Sep’17. Monthly exports had also decreased 15% Y-o-Y compared with 3.51 MnT in Oct’16.

USA, Mozambique, Saudi Arabia and Russia were the other major coal receivers during the month.

Source: CoalMint Research | Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Handling Ports:
The ports located in East coast region had received 9.44 MnT coal, while the West coast ports received the remaining quantity of 9.63 MnT in Oct’17.

Adani’s Mundra port continued its dominance in coal handling, however monthly shipments at the port had fell 16% M-o-M to 2.35 MnT during the month.

Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam, Paradip, Hazira and Kandla were among the other major coal receiving ports.

Major Coal receivers:
Adani Enterprise received the major coal shipment of 2.147 MnT in Oct’17 consisting of Non-coking coal, Coking coal and Pet coke.

JSW Steel was the second-largest coal importer; which had also received the only Anthracite coal shipment during the month.