According to the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint Research, Pakistan’s coal import has fallen 33% on the month to 1,080,687 MT in Apr’18 compared with 1,621,404 MT in Mar’18. On the yearly basis, Pakistan’s coal import in Apr’18 had fell 32% from 1,587,110 MT in Apr’17.
The number of imported coal vessel arriving at Qasim and Karachi ports had reduced from 32 in Mar’18 to 22 in Apr’18.
Pakistan’s Demand for imported coal has been boosted by the commissioning of the two new thermal power plants under the CPEC projects (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor). Besides, there has been steady requirement of coal from Pakistani cement firms as the country completes new infrastructure projects.
However, coal import at both the power plants had fallen during the month. Sahiwal plants coal import was down 15% M-o-M to 249,850 MT, whereas Port Qasim power plant’s import had decreased 9% on the month to 236,790 MT in Apr’18.
Several cement companies namely D G Khan Cement, Bestway cement, Gharibwal cement, were also absent from the importers list, after procuring their requisite coal needs in the previous month.
Still, Pakistan’s total coal import during the first 4 months of CY18 has increased 31% Y-o-Y to 4,388,045 MT, compared with 3,349,450 MT in Jan’17-Apr’17. The decision to lower tax on coal imports by the Pakistan’s government is likely to provide additional support to the rising imports.
Country-wise Coal Imports in Apr’18:
Pakistan has been sourcing majority of its imported coal from South Africa. However, import from South Africa was down 10% M-o-M to 919,587 MT in Apr’18, which was also 15% lower on the year compared with 1,083,220 MT in Apr’17.
Coal import from Indonesian had also fallen on the monthly basis, recorded at 111,100 MT in Apr’18.
Port Qasim power plant had received 50,000 MT coal from the sole vessel that was imported from Mozambique, while no coal was imported from Russia during the month.
| Country | Apr’18 | Mar’18 | Apr’17 | M-o-M | Y-o-Y |
| South Africa | 919,587 | 1,019,844 | 1,083,220 | -10% | -15% |
| Indonesia | 111,100 | 320,590 | 318,240 | -65% | -65% |
| Mozambique | 50,000 | 105,170 | 71,510 | -52% | -30% |
| Russia | – | 175,800 | 114,110 | – | – |
| Grand Total | 1,080,687 | 1,621,404 | 1,587,110 | -33% | -32% |
Source: Vessel Line-up Data, CoalMint Research
Quantity in MT
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