Japan: Coal Imports Up 11% Q-o-Q in Q3 CY19

Japanese coal imports have increased 11% Q-o-Q to 49.86 MnT during the third quarter of CY19 (Jul-Sep’19) compared with 44.84 MnT in Q2 CY19, data provided by customs showed. However, coal intake by the country was marked 2% lower on the year from 50.72 MnT in Q3 CY18.

Following a strong start to the third quarter wherein the country had noted its highest monthly coal intake for the CY19, imports in the subsequent months were weighted down by comparatively full stocks and lower thermal generation in the cooling period.

Apparently, coal volumes had extended its fall on the monthly basis, recorded at 15.45 MnT in Sep’19.

Driven by ongoing nuclear starts, Japanese coal imports are expected to trend downwards, but prolonged delays because of maintenance and upgrading security requirements may open up a window of opportunity for the country to boost coal imports.

During the first 6 months of CY19 (Jan-Sep’19), Japanese imports have reached 142.49 MnT, down 2% Y-o-Y from 145.98 MnT noted in the year-ago period.

Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Non-coking coal imports grew 15% Q-o-Q to 33.47 MnT in Q3 CY19, which was accompanied by a rise in coking coal receipt marked at 10.93 MnT.

There was a drop of 11% noted in Anthracite shipments, which had decreased to 1.56 MnT in Q3 CY19. Besides, imports of coke products had also fallen during the quarter period.

Source: Japanese customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Exporters:
Australia remained the largest coal supplier to Japan, with exports of 28.3 MnT coal in Q3 CY19. Coal volumes had increased 13% on the quarter from 25.14 MnT in Q2 CY19, but were marked 6% lower on the year from 30.09 MnT in Q3 CY18.

Indonesia had also witnessed an uptick in coal supplies during Q3 CY19 on quarter basis, but export volume was lagging behind the levels attained in the year-ago period.

Russian coal supplies to Japan marked at 5.79 MnT had seen a robust growth during Q3 CY19, with exports increasing both on the quarterly and yearly basis.