Australian Coal Export Shipments Up 9% M-o-M in May’18

As per the vessel line-up data compiled by CoalMint Research, coal shipments from Australia have increased 9% in May’18 on the monthly basis, which was also the highest monthly total for CY18 till date.

Export shipment from the country was recorded at 31.2 MnT in May’18, against 28.62 MnT in Apr’18; which was also 3% higher on the year than the levels attained in May’17.

Australian is the largest coal exporter in the world, exporting both thermal and metallurgical grade of coal. Of late, Australian thermal coal has seen increased demand across Asia, particularly in China.

The ongoing summer season in China has boosted the demand for Australian thermal coal. Spot prices for thermal coal cargoes for export from Australia’s Newcastle terminal had hit 6 year high at USD 115.25/MT, the highest level since Feb’12. However, price has come down to USD 113.85/MT as on 8 May’18.

Hot weather is also supporting demand in other key demand regions in Asia, including Japan and South Korea.

During the first five months of CY18 (Jan’18-May’18), coal shipments from Australia has increased 9% Y-o-Y to 149.7 MnT compared with 137.96 MnT in Jan’17-May’17.

Major Coal Importers:
Japan remained the largest receiver of Australian coal in May’18, followed by China, India and South Korea. All the major coal receivers had noted a sizeable growth in imports during the month of May’18.

Japanese coal import had increased 13% on the month to 9.17 MnT in May’18. Coal import by China and India had also recorded a similar rise of 3% and 17% during the month.

Source: CoalMint Research, GAC | Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Handling Ports in May’18:
Newcastle was the largest coal handling port in May’18; however coal shipment from the port had fell 14% M-o-M to 11.69 MnT in May’18 compared with 13.61 MnT in Apr’18.

Gladstone, DBCT, Hay Point and Abbot Point were the other major coal handling ports in May’18.

Source: CoalMint Research, GAC
Quantity in MnT