According to the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint Research, Indian Non-Coking imports have fallen 6% on the month to 13.54 MnT in Apr’18, compared with 14.48 MnT in Mar’18.
Given the robust demand from power sector, India’s Non-coking coal imports had posted growth on the year-on-year basis, during each of the first 3 months of CY18. But, Import in Apr’18 was 2% lower on the year compared with 13.85 MnT in Apr’17.
Still, Non-coking coal imports have totaled 53.14 MnT during Jan’18-Apr’18, which was 14% more than the volume imported during the same period in CY17.
The country had witnessed a steep fall in imports from its major coal market, Indonesia, in Apr’18. Buyers had lowered their coal purchase anticipating further downward correction in Indonesian coal price, which ultimately resulted in a decline in coal imports during the month.
However, the ongoing demand for summer season is expected to spurt coal buying among the buyers, as the coal stock available at the power plants had significantly fell on the monthly basis. As per the data provided by CEA, coal stock at the power plants (having coal-linkage) had declined 2.8% M-o-M to 15.89 MnT as on 3 May’18.
On the other hand, better coal stock availability at the pit head mines had enabled CIL to post higher gains in coal production and dispatches on the year-on-year basis in Apr’18, the continual of which would probably improve the appetite for domestic coal.
Moreover, CIL’s subsidiaries had also strictly followed the provision calendar for coal auction during the month, which would help the power producers to procure requisite coal quantity as per their generation schedule.
Country-wise Coal Imports:
Indian Non-coking coal imports from Indonesia had dropped 16% M-o-M to 7.67 MnT in Apr’18, which was also 17% lower on the year compared with 9.28 MnT in Apr’17.
Import from South Africa remained almost flat over the month, recorded at 2.74 MnT in Apr’18 against 2.76 MnT in Mar’18. On the yearly basis, import had decreased 12% from 3.12 MnT in Apr’17.
Coal import from the US, Australia and Mozambique also remain unchanged from the previous month, while Russian coal import had increased 338% on the month to 0.41 MnT in Apr’18.
Source: Vessel Line-up Data, CoalMint Research | Quantity in MnT
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