US coal exports have decreased 19% on the month to 9.76 MnT in Feb’19, compared with 12.02 MnT in Jan’19. Exports were also 17% lower on the year from 11.75 MnT in Feb’18.
The decline in monthly coal shipments could be attributed to the weaker demand for both US coking and non-coking grades of coal, which had fallen m-o-m during Feb’19.
Besides, drop in South Korean coal-based power generation amid increased pressure from recovering nuclear availability and mild winter weather, had drastically reduced the country’s coal sourcing from the US.
According to the data provided by US customs, coal delivered to South Korea was down 84% M-o-M to 0.13 MnT in Feb’19 against 0.81 MnT in Jan’19.
Grade-wise Coal Exports:
Following the decline in coking coal export volumes, Pet coke became the largest exported coal commodity in Feb’19.
Pet coke exports had increased 4% M-o-M to 3.65 MnT in Feb’19 compared with 3.5 MnT in Jan’19.
Exports of coking coal had decreased 25% M-o-M to 3.25 MnT, along with non-coking coal which were down 24% M-o-M to 2.6 MnT in Feb’19.
| Grades | Feb’19 | Jan’19 | % Change |
| Pet Coke | 3.65 | 3.5 | 4% |
| Coking Coal | 3.25 | 4.35 | -25% |
| Non Coking Coal | 2.6 | 3.42 | -24% |
| Met Coke | 0.03 | 0.1 | -70% |
| Anthracite | 0 | 0.05 | -100% |
| Others | 0.23 | 0.61 | -62% |
| Grand Total | 9.76 | 12.02 | -19% |
Source: US Customs
Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Importers:
India, Netherlands and Japan remained the top-3 coal buyers from the US in Feb’19.
Indian coal imports were up 14% M-o-M to 2.14 MnT in Feb’19, also rising 52% on the year from 1.41 MnT in Feb’18.
Netherlands import of 1.17 MnT coal in Feb’19 were down 10% on the month from 1.3 MnT in Jan’19, but were up 54% Y-o-Y from 0.76 MnT in Feb’18.
Japanese coal imports had fallen both on the monthly and yearly basis, were recorded at 0.89 MnT in Feb’19.
Source: US Customs | Quantity in MnT
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