Japan: Coal Imports Up 3% M-o-M in Oct’19

Japanese coal imports have increased 3% on the month to 15.95 MnT in Oct’19 compared with 15.45 MnT in Sep’19, however, coal volumes remained almost flay y-o-y as against 15.91 MnT in Oct’18.

Coal intake by the country has been subdued in the past three months, marked by a lower receipt of non-coking coal used primarily for thermal power generation. Apparently, coal-fired power output, which had seen temporary boost as a result of two nuclear reactors taken offline for planned maintenance in Jul’19, has slowed down in recent times.

During the first 10 months of CY19 (Jan-Oct’19), Japanese coal imports totaled 158.44 MnT, down 2% Y-o-Y from 161.89 MnT noted in the year-ago period. Imports by the country are expected to trend slightly downwards, driven by more nuclear restarts.

Grade-wise Coal Imports:
Japanese non-coking coal imports extended its fall on the month to record a 4-month low total of 10.3 MnT in Oct’19. Coal volume was also marked 2% lower on the year from 10.48 MnT in Oct’18.

Coking coal imports in Oct’19 were marked highest for the CY19, as the country raised shipments from Australia and Canada. Japan imported 4.04 MnT coking coal in Oct’19, up by 22% M-o-M from 3.32 MnT in Sep’19.

Imports of Anthracite coal had also seen a growth of 25% M-o-M, but a decline in import of coke commodities was reported during Oct’19.

Source: Japan customs
Quantity in MnT

Major Coal Exporters:
Australian remained the largest supplier to Japan, with exports of 8.59 MnT in Oct’19. Coal volumes remained almost stable on the month compared with 8.57 MnT in Sep’19, but had fell 2% Y-o-Y from 8.8 MnT in Oct’18.

Indonesian coal exports to Japan rose 11% M-o-M to 2.24 MnT in Oct’19, which were also marked 3% higher on the year from 2.17 MnT in Oct’18. Coal exports by Japan’s third-largest supplier-Russia stood 2.23 MnT in Oct’19.