Japanese coal imports have recorded significant jump in Nov’18, boosted by an increased supplies from its major exporters-Australia, Indonesia and Russia.
According to the data provided by Japanese customs, the country’s imports have rebounded after a slight fall in Oct’18, to attain 18.07 MnT coal in Nov’18.
Import in Nov’18 was up 14% M-o-M from 15.91 MnT in Oct’18, which was also 7% higher on the year from 16.85 MnT in Nov’17.
Japanese coal intake from its major supplier-Australia was aided by the softening coal prices. Australian thermal coal benchmark price for 6000 NAR averaged an estimated USD 100/MT in December quarter of CY18, noting a 13% decline from the previous quarter.
Prices in Nov’18 in particular had fell below USD 100/MT, at almost a 6-month low, primarily as a result of declining import demand from China and stronger domestic production.
In spite of the remarkable growth in Nov’18, Japan’s total coal import was broadly steady during the first 11 month period of CY18, which in fact has remain fractionally lower at 179.96 MnT as against 180.09 MnT recorded in the same period of CY17.
Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Imports of non-coking coal increased 14% M-o-M to 11.91 MnT in Nov’18 compared with 10.48 MnT in Oct’18.
Japanese import of coking and anthracite coal rose to their respective high total for CY18, marked at 4.38 MnT and 0.63 MnT respectively in Nov’18.
Imports of Pet coke and Met coke had witness decline on the month in Nov’18.
| Grade | Nov’18 | Oct’18 | % Change |
| Non Coking Coal | 11.91 | 10.48 | 14% |
| Coking Coal | 4.38 | 3.4 | 29% |
| Anthracite | 0.63 | 0.56 | 13% |
| Pet Coke | 0.41 | 0.49 | -16% |
| Met Coke | 0.1 | 0.21 | -52% |
| Others | 0.65 | 0.78 | -17% |
| Grand Total | 18.07 | 15.91 | 14% |
Source: Japanese customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Exporters:
Australian coal export accounted a remarkable 57% in Japan’s total intake, which was marked 17% higher on the month at 10.28 MnT in Nov’18. On the yearly basis, export by the country was up 8% from 9.55 MnT in Nov’17.
Indonesian coal exports to Japan extended its monthly rise, as it increased 14% M-o-M to 2.48 MnT in Nov’18 compared with 2.17 MnT in Oct’18. Exports were however 9% lower on the year from 2.74 MnT in Nov’17.
Russian coal exports increased 8% M-o-M to 2.19 MnT in Nov’18, which were also 35% higher on the year from 1.62 MnT in Nov’17.
US, Canada, China, Mozambique and Colombia were among the other major coal exporters in Nov’18.
Source: Japanese customs | Quantity in MnT
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