India: Coal Traffic Handled at Major Ports Up 12% Y-o-Y in Apr-Feb’19

According to the data provided by Indian Port Association (IPA), coal imports at the country’s 12 major ports have increased 12% on the year to 146.974 MnT during Apr’18-Feb’19 compared with 131.638 MnT in the corresponding period last year.

The 12 major ports of India listed under IPA include: Kolkata (Kolkata and Haldia dock both combined), Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Kamajar (Ennore), Chennai, V O Chidambaranar, Cochin, New Mangalore, Mormugao, Mumbai, J.N.P.T and Deendayal port (previously known as Kandla).

Intake of imported coal at the major ports has been progressively increasing due to a shortfall in domestic coal supplies, because of which India had to resort to imports.

Notably, import taken at the major ports during the first 11 months of FY19 has now overtaken the previous year total of 145.862 MnT recorded in FY18.

A grade-wise break-up of shipments arrived at ports indicate that thermal and steam coal shipments had increased 11% Y-o-Y to 94.742 MnT, while coking and other coal shipments grew 14% on the year to 52.232 MnT in the first 11 months of FY19.

Paradip port had received the highest coal volume, accounting for 28% of the total quantity in the 11 month period.

No coal were received at JNPT and Chennai port, while among the remaining only Mormugao and Cochin port have witnesses a y-o-y decline in coal imports taken in FY19.

Monthly Arrival at Ports:
Despite recording a remarkable growth y-o-y, growth rate of imports at the major ports have been lately affected by the lower monthly intake.

Both thermal & steam coal and coking & other coal shipments have hit 5-month low in Feb’19.

Total coal imports (including thermal and coking coal shipments) have dropped 4% M-o-M to 12.646 MnT in Feb’19 against 13.188 MnT in Jan’19.

Amongst the individual ports, only Paradip, Kandla and Ennore, have recorded a m-o-m rise in coal receipt during Feb’19.

Source: IPA | Quantity in MnT