Australia’s coal exports have increased by 7.79% on a month-on-month basis to 32.74 million metric tons (MnT) in May, as compared to 30.38 MnT in April, as per the latest vessel lineup data compiled by CoalMint Research.
Moreover, on a year-on-year basis, the country’s coal exports grew by roughly 4% than the export volume of 31.49 MnT in May’18.
Source: Vessel Line-up Data, CoalMint Research | Quantity in MnT
Major Coal Importers from Australia in May’19:
China overtook Japan to become the largest receiver of Australian coal in May’19, followed by India and South Korea — generally these four nations together account for approximately three-fourths of Australia’s total coal shipments during any particular month.
Chinese coal imports from Australia have risen by 16.5% to 8.99 MnT in May’19, against 7.72 MnT in Apr’19.
It is worth mentioning in this context that during the past couple of months, there have been various reports about extended inspections of Australian supplies arriving in China, including an unofficial ban on Australian coal vessels berthing at different Chinese ports.
Interestingly though, traders are still ordering shipments from Australia — possibly for its lower prices, despite the restrictions at customs.
Contrarily, Japanese coal imports from Australia have fallen by 0.9% to 8.11 MnT in May’19, against 8.19 MnT in Apr’19.
Notably, India remained ahead of South Korea as the third-largest Australian coal importer during the month of May’19.
More importantly, Indian coal imports from Australia have increased by 19.8% to 3.90 MnT in May’19, against 3.26 MnT in Apr’19.
South Korean coal imports from Australia have increased by 5.4% to 3.27 MnT in May’19, against 3.11 MnT in Apr’19.
Taiwanese coal imports from Australia have increased by 4.4% to 2.94 MnT in May’19, against 2.82 MnT in Apr’19.
Source: CoalMint Research | Quantity in MnT
The following table provides a more detailed breakup of the importing countries.
| Country | May’19 | Apr’19 | Change |
| China | 8,988,100 | 7,717,561 | 16.46% |
| Japan | 8,112,124 | 8,189,554 | -0.95% |
| India | 3,903,482 | 3,257,967 | 19.81% |
| South Korea | 3,274,848 | 3,108,215 | 5.36% |
| Taiwan | 2,942,297 | 2,819,589 | 4.35% |
| Vietnam | 1,058,480 | 1,284,382 | -17.59% |
| Indonesia | 625,031 | 382,201 | 63.53% |
| Brazil | 470,355 | 297,041 | 58.35% |
| Thailand | 462,200 | 471,243 | -1.92% |
| Malaysia | 347,053 | 143,085 | 142.55% |
| Spain | 237,000 | ||
| Turkey | 170,550 | ||
| Denmark | 165,100 | ||
| South Africa | 151,362 | ||
| New Caledonia | 116,700 | 156,000 | -25.19% |
| Germany | 95,000 | ||
| Sweden | 75,000 | 162,000 | -53.70% |
| Philippines | 71,500 | 130,000 | -45.00% |
| Hong Kong | 60,500 | ||
| Chile | 45,000 | ||
| Argentina | 45,000 | ||
| USA | 37,073 | ||
| Netherlands | 158,804 | ||
| United Arab Emirates | 137,900 | ||
| Poland | 75,000 | ||
| Others | 1,289,288 | 1,886,085 | |
| GRAND TOTAL | 32,743,043 | 30,376,627 | 7.79% |
Source: CoalMint Research | Quantity in MT
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