According to the data provided by Indian Port Association (IPA), coal imports at the country’s 12 major ports have decreased 4% on the year to 74.163 MnT during the first six months of FY20.
The ports had received 77.112 MnT coal in the year ago period.
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 Kandla (now known as Deendayal port).
The country has witness reduced appetite for coal imports owing to a better domestic coal output seen last year, which had helped build a sufficient stock level at the power stations.
Incidentally, imports at major ports were marked 19% higher on the year at this juncture last fiscal.
A grade-wise break-up of imports indicate that intake of thermal and steam grade of coal has fell 13% Y-o-Y to 44.873 MnT in H1 FY20 (Apr-Sep’19) as against 51.697 MnT noted in the year-ago period.
A subdued coal supply reported by CIL this term has started taking its toll on power plant’s coal stock which was assessed at 17.131 MnT as on 8 Oct’19, sufficient for 11 days of power generation. An ailing coal stock is likely to revoke demand for thermal coal imports.
On the other hand, imports of coking and other coal grades have posted a significant growth of 15% over the half year period, rising to 29.29 MnT as against 25.415 MnT noted in H1 FY19 period.
Coking coal imports are on track to overtake total FY19 volumes of 57.5 MnT, but recent production cuts at many steel mills due to decline in steel prices could possibly slowdown import volumes in the months ahead.
Major Coal Receivers:
Paradip remained the largest coal handling port in H1 FY20, with imports of 19.859 MnT coal. The port had seen a decline of 16% Y-o-Y in thermal coal shipments, while coking coal imports were marked almost flat Y-o-Y in the 6-month period.
Ennore port slightly edged out Kolkata in terms of coal volume handled in the period, to emerge as the second largest coal receiver in H1 FY20.
It is pertaining to note that the top two major coal handling ports (Paradip and Ennore) had recorded a fall in coal imports during H1 FY20. Whereas, imports at Kolkata port had increased 4% Y-o-Y to 10.032 MnT in the 6-month period.
No coal shipments were recorded at JNPT, Chennai and Cochin ports in the half year period.
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