As per the vessel line-up data compiled for RBCT’s coal shipments, CoalMint has learned that Indian coal imports from South Africa’s premium port are expected to remain at 3.2 MnT in Feb’18. Around 18 coal vessels have been discharged from RBCT in the month of Jan’18, which are expected to reach Indian ports by Feb’18.
Indian coal imports from RBCT had witnessed a drop of 15% M-o-M to 3.20 MnT in Jan’18, from 3.77 MnT in Dec’17. The country had received its highest monthly coal shipment for CY17 in the month of December, which might be the reason for the lessened buying in Jan’18.
Nevertheless, the demand from Non-power sector is expected to keep Indian coal imports firm in the coming months. India had imported 1.83 MnT coal from RBCT during Jan’17, when there was adequate supply of the domestic coal.
Strong demand from India had continued to support coal export from RBCT. Although, Coal shipments from RBCT had fallen 6% M-o-M in Jan’18, yet it was maintained above the 7 MnT mark. Total coal shipments were recorded at 7.25 MnT, which was also 20% higher on the year compared with 6.05 MnT in Jan’17.
Coal import from RBCT’s other major customer, Pakistan had also decreased 43% M-o-M to 0.45 MnT in Jan’18, compared with 0.79 MnT in Dec’17.
The fall in coal buying from India and Pakistan was somewhat compensated by South Korea, which had recorded a growth of 71% in coal shipments from RBCT. Moreover, countries such as Taiwan, Argentina and Netherlands were back to procure coal from RBCT after a month’s gap.
South Korea was the second-largest receiver from RBCT, with imports of 0.74 MnT coal in Jan’18, followed by Taiwan, which had received 0.50 MnT coal during the month.
Source: CoalMint Research | Quantity in MnT
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