Coal shipments received at India’s major ports have seen a sharp upturn on the monthly basis, as it attained a 7-month high total during Dec’19. According to the data provided by Indian Port Association (IPA), coal imports at the country’s 12 major ports increased 20% on the month to 13.018 MnT in Dec’19 as against 10.811 MnT in Nov’19.
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.
Imports of both thermal and coking grades of coal had witnessed a rise during the month; however, there was a striking contrast in the manner at which the increase was assessed.
Thermal and steam grades’ coal import had extended the rise on the monthly basis, as it grew 10% M-o-M to 7.794 MnT in Dec’19 compared with 7.077 MnT in Nov’19.
In comparison, imports of coking coal had rebounded after ending a series of decline seen in the past few months, to register a growth of 40% M-o-M. Notably, intake of coking coal at major ports stood 5.224 MnT in Dec’19, which was marked highest since Apr’19.
The steep rise in coking coal imports could be attributed to the favorable market conditions assessed for the Indian steel-makers where cost of coal are going down and prices of finished products are going up. Market participants have anticipated that that the steel companies would be buoyed to maximize their output in the near term as they foresee recovery from the losses incurred during the economic slowdown.
| Port | Thermal and Steam Coal | Coking and Other Coal | Total Shipments | ||||
| Dec’19 | Nov’19 | Dec’19 | Nov’19 | Dec’19 | Nov’19 | % Change | |
| Paradip | 2.444 | 1.723 | 1.135 | 0.621 | 3.579 | 2.344 | 53% |
| Kolkata | 0.187 | 0.192 | 1.742 | 1.142 | 1.929 | 1.334 | 45% |
| Kamarajar (Ennore) | 1.757 | 1.382 | 0.076 | 0.103 | 1.833 | 1.485 | 23% |
| Visakhapatnam | 0.979 | 0.972 | 0.791 | 0.282 | 1.77 | 1.254 | 41% |
| Kandla | 1.15 | 1.712 | 0.059 | 0.028 | 1.209 | 1.74 | -31% |
| V.O. Chidambaranar | 0.667 | 0.535 | 0.48 | 0.488 | 1.147 | 1.023 | 12% |
| Mormugao | 0.076 | 0.186 | 0.709 | 0.664 | 0.785 | 0.85 | -8% |
| Mumbai | 0.186 | 0.172 | 0.219 | 0.384 | 0.405 | 0.556 | -27% |
| New Mangalore | 0.348 | 0.203 | 0.013 | 0.022 | 0.361 | 0.225 | 60% |
| Chennai | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Cochin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| JNPT | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Total | 7.794 | 7.077 | 5.224 | 3.734 | 13.018 | 10.811 | 20% |
Source: IPA
Quantity in MnT
Total Coal Shipments in FY20:
Total coal shipments handled at the major ports had fell 11% Y-o-Y to 108.366 MnT during the first 9 months of FY20 (Apr-Dec’19), compared with 121.321 MnT noted in the year-ago period.
Apparently, higher domestic coal availability had lowered the appetite for imports, which was also reduced by the slack demand induced from the economic slowdown lately.
Imports of thermal and steam grade of coal has fallen 17% Y-o-Y to 65.971 MnT in the 9-month period of FY20, which was noted at 79.558 MnT in the same period last year.
Meanwhile, the growth in imports of coking coal during the 9-month period was constrained to 2% as it was recorded at 42.395 MnT in Apr-Dec’19 compared with 41.763 MnT in Apr-Dec’18. Contrarily, the growth rate in coking coal imports was assessed at 15% in the year-ago period.
Paradip was the highest coal receiver, but intake at the port was down 17% Y-o-Y to 28.193 MnT in Apr-Dec’19 period. Ennore port came second in the list followed by Kolkata, Kandla and Vizag ports.
Interestingly, out of the 12 major ports, only Kandla and Mormugao ports had managed a rise in coal intake during the 9-month period.
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